spathiphyllum

[ spey-th uh-fil-uh m, -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.

Nearby words

spatchcock, spate, spathaceous, spathe, spathic, spathiphyllum, spathose, spathulate, spatial, spatial frequency, spatial summation

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

Also called peace lily, spathe flower.