a small myrtaceous tree or shrub, Melaleuca leucadendron, native to the East Indies and Australia, with whitish flowers and leaves
2.
a green aromatic oil derived from this tree, used to treat skin diseases
3.
a lauraceous tree, Umbellularia californica, whose aromatic leaves are used in medicine
Word origin
C18: from Malay kayu puteh, from kayu wood + puteh white
cajuput in American English
(ˈkædʒəpət)
noun
an Australian tree (Melaleuca leucadendra) of the myrtle family, with whitish flowers and thick bark, often grown in the extreme S U.S.: its aromatic oil is used in medicine