mock orange
Noun: 1. A common name for several different shrubs, particularly those in the genus Philadelphus, which are cultivated for their showy, fragrant white flowers that often resemble orange blossoms in appearance or scent, but do not produce edible fruit. 2. A name for various other shrubs or small trees, such as certain species of Pittosporum or Maclura, that may have orange-like fruit, thorns, or fragrant flowers, but are not true citrus trees.
The term "mock orange" is primarily used to refer to ornamental garden shrubs. * The most common usage is for shrubs of the genus Philadelphus. * The mock orange by the fence is in full bloom and smells wonderful. * It can also refer to other non-citrus plants with similar characteristics. * The mock orange hedge produces inedible fruit that looks like a small, hard orange.
- As a modifier: The term can be used adjectivally to describe the plant's characteristics.
- The mock-orange blossoms filled the garden with their scent.
- Syringa: An older botanical name and common name sometimes used for species.
- Philadelphus: The botanical genus name for the most common type of mock orange shrub.
- Osage orange (): A different tree sometimes called "mock orange" due to its fruit, also known as hedge apple or bodark.
- Philadelphus (when referring specifically to that genus)
- Orange blossom shrub (descriptive)
- Fragrant white shrub (descriptive)
The meaning of "mock orange" depends on regional and horticultural context: 1. Ornamental Shrub (Most Common): Refers to Philadelphus, prized for fragrant white flowers. 2. Tree with Inedible Fruit: Can refer to Maclura pomifera (Osage orange), noted for its hard wood and bumpy fruit. 3. Other Plants: May locally refer to species of Pittosporum or Prunus caroliniana (Cherry laurel).
- small shrubby deciduous yellowwood tree of south central United States having spines, glossy dark green leaves and an inedible fruit that resembles an orange; its hard orange-colored wood used for bows by Native Americans; frequently planted as boundary hedge
- small flowering evergreen tree of southern United States
- shrubby thorny deciduous tree of southeastern United States with white flowers and small black drupaceous fruit
- large hardy shrub with showy and strongly fragrant creamy-white flowers in short terminal racemes