sansevieria

[san-suh-vee-eer-ee-uh, -suh-veer-ee-uh]

noun

any plant belonging to the genus Sansevieria, of the agave family, grown as a houseplant for its stiff, sword-shaped leaves and white or yellow flowers.

Origin of sansevieria

1795–1805; < New Latin; named after San Seviero, principality of Raimondo di Sangro (1710–71), learned Neapolitan; see -ia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for sansevieria

Historical Examples of sansevieria

The leaves of species of Sansevieria yield a valuable fibre.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 6
Various
Sisal hemp and Sansevieria have been experimented with, but without any distinct influence upon the trade output.
The Hawaiian Islands
The Department of Foreign Affairs

British Dictionary definitions for sansevieria

sansevieria

noun

any herbaceous perennial plant of the liliaceous genus Sansevieria, of Old World tropical regions. Some are cultivated as house plants for their erect bayonet-like fleshy leaves of variegated green (mother-in-law's tongue); others yield useful fibre (bowstring hemp)

Word Origin for sansevieria

New Latin, named after Raimondo di Sangro (1710–71), Italian scholar and prince of San Severo

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012