aspidistra

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree taxonomic name Aspidistrabor. English aspidistra Borrowed from taxonomic name Aspidistra, coined by English botanist John Ker Gawler in 1822 from a blend of Greek ἀσπίς (aspís, “shield”) + taxonomic name Tupistra (“a sister genus”).

1. Any of several Asian plants of the genus Aspidistra, having large leaves and small bell-shaped flowers; widely cultivated as a houseplant.

   “'Thank God they're not gentel aboutit.' 'Some of them are,' said Leiter. 'Tea-cups, aspidistras and tut-tutting all over the place.'”