Webster's Online Dictionary
with Multilingual Thesaurus Translation

 
Earth's largest dictionary with more than 1226 modern languages and Eve!

Definition: Dieffenbachia

Part of Speech Definition
Noun 1. Evergreen perennial herbs of tropical America with lush foliage and poisonous sap; often cultivated as houseplants.[Wordnet].

Source: WordNet 3.0 Copyright © 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

 Top

Date "Dieffenbachia" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1968. (references)

Common Expressions: Dieffenbachia

Expressions Definition
Dieffenbachia sequine An evergreen plant with large showy dark green leaves; contains a poison that swells the tongue and throat hence the name. Source: Wordnet 3.0 Copyright © 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Genus Dieffenbachia Evergreen perennial herbs of tropical America with lush foliage and poisonous sap; often cultivated as houseplants. Source: Wordnet 3.0 Copyright © 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Top

Specialty Expressions: Dieffenbachia

Expressions Domain Definition
Dieffenbachia amoena Aerospace Giant dumbcane is an indoor ornamental plant. Experimental work on rodents proved the toxicity of leaf and stem tissue from giant dumbcane. Death occurred after administration of 3.0 g of plant extract in 10.0 mL of liquid per 100 g of body weight (Der Marderosian et al. 1976). (references)
Dieffenbachia bausei Aerospace Dumbcane is an ornamental houseplant. Experimental work caused death in mice when leaf tissue extract was fed orally at the rate of 100 mg of lyophilized plant material (in distilled water) per 35 g of body weight (Der Marderosian et al. 1976). See notes under Dieffenbachia seguine for additional information on toxic chemicals in Dieffenbachia spp. (references)
Dieffenbachia maculata Aerospace Spotted dumbcane is an indoor ornamental. Experimental work with leaf and stem material caused death in mice and rats (Der Marderosian et al. 1976). Toxic symptoms have also occurred in humans and house pets. Chewing produces painful irritation of the mouth and throat. Symptoms may take several days to disappear. The insoluble oxalates do not cause systemic poisoning in humans (Lampe and McCann 1985). See notes under Dieffenbachia seguine for additional information on toxic chemicals in Dieffenbachia spp. General symptoms of poisoning: 1- Humans: mouth, irritation of. (references)
Dieffenbachia seguine Aerospace Mother-in-law plant is an ornamental. Chewing dumbcanes (Dieffenbachia spp.) leaves or stems causes immediate pain and swelling in the mouth and throat. In severe cases, speech may become unintelligible, hence the name dumbcane. In the past these plants were used as a means of human torture. Family pets have also been poisoned after chewing on dumbcane plant material. The effects are almost instantaneous, before the plant material is actually ingested. The plant juices can also cause inflammation and contact dermatitis in some individuals (Arditti and Rodriguez 1982, Lampe and McCann 1985). Mrvos et al. (1990) determined that in many cases where people had contact with broken leaves of dumbcane plants, symptoms occurred within 5 min and were short and of minor consequence. The researchers concluded that concerns regarding oral complications may be exaggerated. Dieffenbachia spp. contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are found in special cells called idioblasts; these cells have nozzle-like apertures at either end. The small needle-like crystals are small (0.2 mm long) and are forcibly extruded when the tissue is ruptured, as when chewed. This release of crystals from plant tissue can continue for several minutes. The initial sensation upon ingesting dumbcane tissue is one of pain (Dore 1963, Cheeke and Schull 1985). Proteolytic enzymes have also been found in dumbcanes and may account for some of the toxic effects (Walter and Khanna 1963, Arditti and Rodriquez 1982). Chewing dumbcane plants causes immediate intense pain and irritation of the lips, tongue, and mouth. There is edematous swelling of the oral mucosa. Bullae may form. Speech capability is often reduced or lost, a condition that can last for several days. The pain and irritation can also persist, and the edema can leave superficial necrosis. Excessive salivation is common. Treatment requires use of cool liquids; analgesics may be indicated (Arditti and Rodriguez 1982, Lampe and McCann 1985). Cut stem sections are particularly dangerous for nursery workers because of the possibility of getting plant juices into the eyes. Inflammation accompanied by intense pain, watering, and gross swelling can occur. Visual acuity may be reduced (Arditti and Rodriquez 1982). General symptoms of poisoning: 1- Cats: a- mouth, irritation of; and b- salivation; and 2- Humans: a- aphonia; b- breathing, labored; c- diarrhea; d- mouth, irritation of; e- salivation; and f- vomiting. (references)
Dieffenbachia sequine Botanical The latex is caustic. One cultivated species is known in Panama as the lottery plant because lottery addicts believe they can read the upcoming number in the unfolding leaves (!). One species enters Bayano Cuna cold remedy (!). Cervantes was perhaps the first to divulge its use as a stinging ramrod to teach cattle to stay away from unwelcoming pastures. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Top

Extended Definition: Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia bowmannii
Dieffenbachia bowmannii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Dieffenbachia
Species

See text.

Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical plants in the Family Araceae noted for their patterned leaves. Members of this genus are popular as houseplants because of their tolerance to shade. The name commemorates Ernst Dieffenbach, a German physician.

The Dieffenbachia is considered one of the deadliest plants on earth.The cells of the Dieffenbachia plant contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals called raphides. If a leaf is chewed, these crystals cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat; swelling can occur along with a temporary inability to speak, and eventually death. Chewing results in death due to swelling of the throat that blocks the airway. Slaves were supposedly sometimes punished by having dieffenbachia put into their mouths [1]. Young children (at the age where they regularly put things into their mouths) are at risk of suffocation and death if they eat or chew on Dieffenbachia leaves.

Favorable conditions for houseplants

Dieffenbachia plants can grow outdoors in tropical climates, but specimens kept as houseplants must be kept indoors during most of the year outside the tropics. Temperatures below about 5˚C (40˚F) can kill the plant. The plant needs light but filtered sunlight through a window is usually sufficient. When the plant is brought home from the nursery, it will likely need repotting. The plant needs moderately moist soil. The soil should be fertilized with either regular liquid fertilizing or fertilizer pellets or spikes. Leaves will periodically roll up and fall off to make way for new leaves. Yellowing of the leaves is generally a sign of problematic conditions, such as a nutrient deficiency in the soil.They also respond well to hot and dry temperatures.

Dieffenbachia flower
Dieffenbachia flower

Selected species

See also

  • Belamcanda chinensis (Leopard Lily)

References

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Dieffenbachia". Image Credit.
 bookmark   email   print   tweet   facebook  



Topics by Level of Interest: Dieffenbachia

Topics sorted by level of Interest Level (1=low, 600=high)     Topics sorted Alphabetically Level (1=low, 600=high)
Dieffenbachia 7     Dieffenbachia 7

Source: the editor, created by/for EVE to gauge likely levels of human interest in linguistically triggered topics (compiled across various sources, such as Wikipedia and specialty expression glosses).

Translations: Dieffenbachia

Language Translations (or nearest inflections or synonyms, in parentheses)
Deutsch Dieffenbachien (Dieffenbachia). Additional references: Deutsch, Germany, Austria, Dieffenbachia. (volunteer & more translations)
Dutch Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia). Additional references: Dutch, Netherlands, Aruba, Dieffenbachia. (volunteer & more translations)
German Dieffenbachien (Dieffenbachia). Additional references: German, Germany, Austria, Dieffenbachia. (volunteer & more translations)
High German Dieffenbachien (Dieffenbachia). Additional references: High German, Germany, Austria, Dieffenbachia. (volunteer & more translations)
Hochdeutsch Dieffenbachien (Dieffenbachia). Additional references: Hochdeutsch, Germany, Austria, Dieffenbachia. (volunteer & more translations)
Source: Eve, based on a combination of meta analysis and graph theory (for near and back translations). Top

Constructed Language Translations: Dieffenbachia

Language Translations for “Dieffenbachia” or closest synonym(s); back translations in parentheses.
Pig Latin Ieffenbachiaday (Dieffenbachia). Additional references: Pig Latin, Dieffenbachia. (volunteer)
Terran B Dieffenbachien (Dieffenbachia). Additional references: Terran B, Dieffenbachia. (volunteer)
Source: compiled by the editor. Top