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mock orange

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mock orange

–noun
1. Also called syringa. any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Philadelphus, of the saxifrage family, esp. P. coronarius, a widely cultivated species having fragrant white flowers.
2. any of various other shrubs or trees having flowers or fruit resembling those of the orange, as the laurel cherry.

Origin:
1725–35

cal⋅a⋅ba⋅zil⋅la

[kal-uh-buh-zee-uh]
–noun
a prostrate vine, Cucurbita foetidissima, of the gourd family, native to southwestern North America, having yellow flowers, round, inedible green and yellow fruit, and an unpleasant odor.


Origin:
1880–85, Americanism; < MexSp calabacilla < Sp: squirting cucumber, dim. of calabaza; see calabash

laurel cherry

–noun
a tree, Prunus caroliniana, of the rose family, of the southeastern U.S., having small, milky-white flowers and black, shiny fruit.


Origin:
1780–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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mock orange  
n.  
  1. Any of numerous deciduous shrubs of the genus Philadelphus, having opposite, simple leaves and white, usually fragrant flowers with four petals and numerous stamens.

  2. Any of various similar or related shrubs or trees.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

mock orange

genus of deciduous shrubs of the family Hydrangeaceae, including the popular garden forms commonly known as mock orange (from its characteristic orange-blossom fragrance) and sweet syringa. Philadelphus, comprising about 65 species, is native to northern Asia and Japan, the western United States, the southern Atlantic coast of the United States, and Mexico. These decorative and fragrant shrubs bloom in the late spring and grow unusually well in dry soils.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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