caladium

[ kuh-ley-dee-uhm ]

noun

1. any of several tropical American plants of the genus Caladium, of the arum family, cultivated for their variegated, colorful leaves.

caladium

/ kəˈleɪdɪəm /

noun

1. any of various tropical plants of the aroid genus Caladium, which are widely cultivated as potted plants for their colourful variegated foliage

Word History and Origins

Origin of caladium¹

1835–45; < New Latin: originally coined as genus name for taro on basis of Malay kəladi (spelling keladi ) araceous plant; -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of caladium¹

C19: from New Latin, from Malay kěladi araceous plant

Example Sentences

She gets a lush, full look using coleus, caladium and oxalis, which all have foliage in burgundies and greens with interesting patterns and shapes.

From Washington Times

Mr. Miller poked and prodded the red heart, yanking out a rose here, situating a caladium leaf there.

From New York Times

On a recent morning, shoppers considered bonsai wire, a tiny glass sea turtle, caladium candidum plants, ceramic pots, decorative mosses, a display of gravel types.

From Washington Post

On weekends, residents spent their time tending to their ivory palms, yuccas and caladiums that resembled elephant ears.

From Washington Post

He went to the corral and marked the animals and plants: cow, goat, pig, hen, cassava, caladium, banana.

From Literature