Definition

A type of tropical plant with thick stems and large, patterned leaves, often grown indoors. It is also known as dumb cane due to its toxic properties.

Example

She decided to buy a dieffenbachia to brighten up her living room.

Conversation

I just got a new plant for my apartment, it's a dieffenbachia.

Oh, I love those! They look so nice indoors.

Yeah, I heard they can really brighten up a room.

Definitely! Just be careful since they can be toxic to pets.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dieffenbachia is derived from the name of the German botanist Ernst Dieffenbach, who studied plants in the 19th century. The suffix '-ia' is commonly used in botanical nomenclature to denote a genus or group of plants. Therefore, Dieffenbachia refers to a genus of tropical plants named after Ernst Dieffenbach.

Memory Tip

Think of the name 'Dieffenbach' as a tribute to the botanist who studied these plants, and remember that the '-ia' suffix indicates it belongs to a group of plants.

Visually Confused Words