CALADIUM SEGUINUM

MaguireaA.D.HawkesSeguinumRaf. Dieffenbachia, commonly known asdumb caneorleopard lily, is agenusoftropicalflowering plantsin thefamilyAraceae.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ It is native to the New World Tropics fromMexicoand theWest Indiessouth toArgentina. Some species are widely cultivated as ornamental plants, especially as houseplants, and have become naturalized on a few tropical islands. Dieffenbachiais aperennialherbaceousplant with straight stem, simple and alternate leaves containing white spots and flecks, making it attractive as indoor foliage.Speciesin this genus are popular ashouseplantsbecause of their tolerance of shade. The English names, dumb cane and mother-in-law's tongue (also used forSansevieriaspecies) refer to the poisoning effect ofraphides, which can cause temporary inability to speak.Dieffenbachiawas named byHeinrich Wilhelm Schott, director of the Botanical Gardens in Vienna, to honor his head gardener Joseph Dieffenbach (1790–1863).