mother-in-law's tongue

/ˌmʌðər ən ˈlɔz ˈtʌŋ/

Definitions of mother-in-law's tongue

1. noun

   an evergreen plant with large showy dark green leaves; contains a poison that swells the tongue and throat hence the name
   synonyms: Dieffenbachia sequine, dumb cane, mother-in-law plant

   type of:

   aroid, arum

   any plant of the family Araceae; have small flowers massed on a spadix surrounded by a large spathe
2. noun

   stemless plant having narrow rigid leaves often cultivated as a houseplant
   synonyms: Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant

   type of:

   bowstring hemp, sansevieria

   grown as a houseplant for its mottled fleshy sword-shaped leaves or as a source of fiber