caatinga
/ˈkɑːtɪŋɡə
/noun [mass noun]
(In Brazil) vegetation in semi-arid country consisting of thorny shrubs and stunted trees: [as modifier]: caatinga forest...
- The caatinga also harbors a long history of social unrest.
- Other discrete vegetation types associated with the caatinga are distinctive palm stands.
- Long a hide-out for bandits, rebels and visionaries, the caatinga also earns a reputation as a mystical badlands.
Origin
Via Portuguese from Tupi, from caá 'natural vegetation' + tinga 'white'.