Melia
/ˈmiːlɪə/Botany
noun
A genus of trees (the type genus of the family Meliaceae), with pinnate or bipinnate leaves and axillary panicles of white or purple flowers; (also melia) a tree of this genus.
- Valid publication of the genus name: Linnaeus Species Plantarum (1753) I. 384. The best known species is the azedarac or chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach..
Origin
Mid 18th century; earliest use found in Chambers's Cyclopaedia. From scientific Latin Melia (Linnaeus Genera Plantarum 127) from ancient Greek μελία manna-ash (further etymology uncertain); so called from the resemblance of the leaves of the azedarac to those of the manna-ash.