spathiphyllum

American

[spey-thuh-fil-uhm, -thuh-, spath-uh-] / ˌspeɪ ðəˈfɪl əm, -θə-, ˌspæθ ə- /

noun

any of various tropical plants of the genus Spathiphyllum, having a white or green spathe and a spike of fragrant flowers and often cultivated as an ornamental.

Etymology

Origin of spathiphyllum

< New Latin, equivalent to Greek spáth ( ē ) blade, spathe + New Latin -i- -i- (irregular for -o- ) + Greek -phyllon, neuter of -phyllos -phyllous, in reference to the leaflike appearance of the spathes

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If mom is a Libra, for example, give her a plant that is not terribly fussy such as the peace lily, a spathiphyllum that flowers in the spring..

From Los Angeles Times

Apopka City Hall features a large indoor garden filled with spathiphyllum and other locally grown houseplants.

From Washington Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023