dumb cane

dumb cane

n. See dieffenbachia.

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[So called because its leaves contain a substance that swells the throat when eaten.]

dumb′ cane`

n. a West Indian foliage plant, Dieffenbachia seguine, having yellow-blotched leaves that cause temporary speechlessness when chewed. [1690–1700]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

dumb cane - an evergreen plant with large showy dark green leaves; contains a poison that swells the tongue and throat hence the nameDieffenbachia sequine, mother-in-law plant, mother-in-law's tonguearoid, arum - any plant of the family Araceae; have small flowers massed on a spadix surrounded by a large spatheDieffenbachia, genus Dieffenbachia - evergreen perennial herbs of tropical America with lush foliage and poisonous sap; often cultivated as houseplants