plantain lily

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.

[1880-85]

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▪ plant

also called  hosta,  

 any of about 40 species of hardy herbaceous perennials of the genus Hosta (family Agavaceae). They prefer light shade but will grow under a variety of conditions. They are native to eastern Asia.

      Each species has ribbed leaves in a cluster at the base of the plant and tubular white or bluish purple flowers that are borne in clusters at the tip of stalks that emerge from the leaves. Bloom time varies from late spring to early fall depending on the species. The fruit is a long capsule. The ornamental plants are frequently grown for their conspicuous foliage, which may be light-to-dark green, yellow, blue, or variegated. The leaves are generally large but range in size from 1.2 to 45 cm (0.5 to 18 inches) long and 1.2 to 30 cm wide.

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