shellflower

American  

[shel-flou-er] / ˈʃɛlˌflaʊ ər /

noun

1. an eastern Asian plant, Alpinia zerumbet, of the ginger family, having pendulous clusters of fragrant white flowers with variegated markings.

2. bells of Ireland.

3. any of several other plants with flowers or parts thought to resemble shells, as those of the genus Tigridia.

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Etymology

Origin of shellflower

First recorded in 1835–45; shell + flower