ˌrafēˈäləpə̇s noun
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, irregular from Greek rhaphis needle + New Latin -o- + -lepis
: a small genus of ornamental Asiatic shrubs (family Rosaceae) grown for their evergreen, glossy, alternate leaves and rather showy white or pink flowers in racemes or panicles — see indian hawthorn , japanese hawthorn