Definition of "tea tree" [tea tree]

• Any of various evergreen shrubs or small trees of the genus Leptospermum, native to Australia and New Zealand, having small, needlelike leaves and white, pink, or red flowers. (noun)
• Any of several Australian trees of the genus Melaleuca, especially M. alternifolia, whose leaves yield an oil used in various herbal preparations. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Skin Ointment by Nutribiotic contains powerfully antibacterial grapefruit seed extract and tea tree oil, along with healing l-lysine, echinacea, bee propolis, honey, cajeput oil, calendula, and goldenseal in a natural base."
• "This lotion contains conifer-needle extract, tea tree oil, and Sea Buckthorn oil."
• "With no synthetic antiseptic chemicals to give rise to resistant bacteria natural antimicrobials are too complex for bugs to adapt to, this effective aloe and tea tree oil-based product is a great carry-along wherever kids and other concerns call for cleanup."