plantain lily

noun

1. any Japanese or Chinese plant of the genus Hosta, of the lily family, having large leaves and spikes or one-sided clusters of white, lilac, or blue flowers.

plantain lily

noun

1. any of several Asian plants of the liliaceous genus Hosta, having broad ribbed leaves and clusters of white, blue, or lilac flowers Also calledday lily

Word History and Origins

Origin of plantain lily¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Hummingbirds slid their noses into plantain lily hostas and delicate stems of purpletop vervain.

From Washington Post

The hosta is in the lily family and has the common name of Plantain Lily.

From Seattle Times

Funkia—Plantain Lily—Broad-leaf Day Lily I consider F. subcordata grandiflora the best of this group.

From Project Gutenberg