Madagascar
(mædəˈgæskə(r))
The large island off the east coast of Africa, used attrib. in special collocations, as Madagascar cat, the ring-tailed lemur, Lemur catta; Madagascar (clove) nutmeg, manna (see quots.); Madagascar periwinkle, a tropical plant (Vinca rosea) with white or rose-coloured flowers.
| 1900 H. A. Bryden Animals Afr. 12 Some of these curious lemurs, which are usually known as ‘Madagascar Cats’. |
| 1866 Lindley & Moore Treas. Bot. I. 28/2 One species, A[gathophyllum] aromaticum, grows in Madagascar... The fruit..encloses a kernel of an acrid caustic taste, known as Madagascar clove nutmegs. 1889 Cent. Dict., Dulcitol,..is commercially obtained from an unknown plant in Madagascar, and in the crude state is called Madagascar manna. |
| 1821 M. Browne Diary (1905) 104 There were..myrtles, beautiful campanulas, geraniums, Madagascar periwinkles, etc. |