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.]

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 name Dieffenbachia sequine, mother-in-law plant, mother-in-law's tongue aroid, arum - any plant of the family Araceae; have small flowers massed on a spadix surrounded by a large spathe Dieffenbachia, genus Dieffenbachia - evergreen perennial herbs of tropical America with lush foliage and poisonous sap; often cultivated as houseplants