umbrella plant

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.

umbrella plant

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbrella plant¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

For this Richmond home, O’Connell focused on leafy Boston and blue star ferns, as well as umbrella plants and orchids, “to echo what’s outside,” she says.

From Washington Post

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

The backyard bed is dense and varied — palms, lilies, ferns, elderberry and a large-leafed shredded umbrella plant fill in the space around the dining area.

From Seattle Times

The data is used to customize care plans, delivered via the app, for more than 135 species of plants, including orchids, tomatoes and umbrella plants.

From Reuters

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

From Project Gutenberg