Recent Examples on the WebOne of the plant's common names, dumb cane, refers to the effect of the sap if eaten.—Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2023 Maculata/seguine, commonly known as spotted dumb cane because its sap can cause irritation of the mouth, is a popular species featuring narrow green leaves with irregular white markings.—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dumb cane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
from the fact that chewing it causes the tongue and throat to swell
Share