china tree meaning and definition

CHINA TREE noun

Definition of China tree (noun)

1. evergreen of tropical America having pulpy fruit containing saponin which was used as soap by Native Americans
   • synonyms: chinaberry, false dogwood, jaboncillo, Sapindus saponaria
2. tree of northern India and China having purple blossoms and small inedible yellow fruits; naturalized in the southern United States as a shade tree
   • synonyms: azedarach, azederach, chinaberry, chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach, Melia azederach, Persian lilac, pride-of-India