dumb cane


noun

a West Indian foliage plant, Dieffenbachia seguine, of the arum family, having yellow-blotched leaves that cause temporary speechlessness when chewed.
Also called dumb plant, mother-in-law plant.

Origin of dumb cane

First recorded in 1690–1700

British Dictionary definitions for dumb-cane

dumb-cane

noun

a West Indian aroid plant, Dieffenbachia seguine, chewing the stem of which induces speechlessness by paralysing the throat muscles