zebrina Bot.
(zəˈbraɪnə)
Also Zebrina.
[mod.L. (A. Schnitzlein 1849, in Bot. Zeitung VII. 870/2), f. zebra, in allusion to the striped leaves of some species + -ina2.]
A creeping recumbent herb of the genus of this name (family Commelinaceæ) that is native to central America, bears ovate, often striped, leaves and clusters of small flowers, and is grown as a greenhouse and indoor plant.
| 1946 M. Free All about House Plants iii. 15 English Ivy, Tradescantia, and Zebrina (to trail over edge [of a window-box]). 1960 Times 30 Jan. 11/2 The green or white and green striped zebrinas. 1963 [see periclinal a. (n.) 2 b]. 1978 Homes & Gardens Oct. 42/2 Among these summer sun-lovers are beloperone..and zebrina. |