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Dieffenbachia sequine

Dieffenbachia sequine

9.9
A large tropical house plant with green leaves that can cause tongue and throat swelling when touched or eaten
  • noun
  • /ˌdiːfənˈbɑːkiə sɪˈkwɪni/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Dieffenbachia sequine
  • You should keep Dieffenbachia sequine out of reach of pets and children due to its toxic sap.

Examples

  • When handling Dieffenbachia sequine, it's advisable to wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.

  • The Dieffenbachia sequine is a popular choice for indoor decoration because of its striking foliage.

  • The Dieffenbachia sequine is a popular houseplant.

  • Many people admire the Dieffenbachia sequine for its beauty.

  • The Dieffenbachia sequine is often chosen as a houseplant due to its beautiful, large leaves.

  • It's important to place the Dieffenbachia sequine in a location where pets cannot access it, as it can be harmful.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Dieffenbachia sequine for its ability to thrive indoors and add aesthetic value.

Synonyms

dumb cane
vsDieffenbachia sequine
8.6

A common houseplant with large green leaves that can make your mouth and throat swell if eaten

is described with emphasis on evergreen and very showy dark leaves
mother-in-law plant
vsDieffenbachia sequine
8.8

An indoor plant with large dark leaves that can make your tongue and throat swell if eaten

is identified by being tropical with large showy dark green leaves
Dieffenbachia
vsDieffenbachia sequine
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical evergreen plant with large attractive leaves and poisonous sap

focuses on a toxin that specifically swells the tongue and throat

How Poisonous

oleander
3 8.2
Dieffenbachia sequine
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

Dieffenbachia sequine singular
Dieffenbachia sequines plural

Morphology

Dieffenbachia + sequine

This is a botanical Latin binomial rather than a compositional English phrase: 'Dieffenbachia' is a genus name (a proper noun) and 'sequine' is not a transparent English word, so a B1 learner who 'knows the constituent words' would not be able to infer the plant meaning. Recognizing this MWE requires specific lexical/botanical knowledge rather than productive composition, so it is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Dieffenbachia sequine was named after a gardener called Dieffenbach who helped bring these large, showy-leaf plants to Europe. The plant is often called 'dumb cane' because its sap can make your tongue and throat swell and make you unable to speak, so this story helps you remember it is a tropical plant with dangerous sap.