umbrella plant

American  

noun

1. an African plant, Cyperus alternifolius, of the sedge family, that has several stems growing directly upward from a mass of roots and an umbrella-shaped cluster of leaves at the top of each stem.

2. North Midland U.S. the May apple plant.

3. Also called wild buckwheat.  any of various plants belonging to the genus Eriogonum, of the buckwheat family, native to the western U.S. and Mexico, having rounded heads or umbels of white, yellow, or red flowers.

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umbrella plant British  

noun

1. an African sedge, Cyperus alternifolius, having large umbrella-like whorls of slender leaves: widely grown as an ornamental water plant

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Etymology

Origin of umbrella plant

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Foliage, too, captures the couple’s attention, including a collectible of recent years, Syneilesis, or umbrella plant, a favorite for dry shade.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2021

A few days later he was in the woods again and stopped near the pine tree, which was sighing and wishing it were an umbrella plant or a gold fish.

From Uncle Wiggily in the Woods by Garis, Howard Roger

For though Mrs. Brown did have an umbrella plant, and a rubber plant also, Sue's doll was not under either one.

From Bunny Brown and his Sister Sue Giving a Show by Rogers, Walter S.

"Well, maybe she is hiding under the umbrella plant!"

From Bunny Brown and his Sister Sue Giving a Show by Rogers, Walter S.