Aupaka

/aʊˈpɑː.kə/ noun

Definition

A New Zealand tree (Olearia paniculata) with small leaves and white flowers, used in hedging and landscaping.

Etymology

From Māori 'aupaka' or 'aupaya', a Polynesian plant name that entered English through contact with indigenous New Zealand people and naturalists documenting Pacific flora.

Kelly Says

Plant names from indigenous languages like Māori preserve linguistic diversity and honor the original namers' ecological knowledge—'aupaka' is a reminder that English has absorbed thousands of plant and animal names from every continent.

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