Puya

noun Pu·ya \ ˈpüyə \

Definition of Puya

: a genus of terrestrial plants (family Bromeliaceae) found mostly in Peru and Chile that have basal spiny leaves and showy bracteate flowers in terminal racemes that may be 30 feet in height — see chagual gum

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Origin and Etymology of puya

New Latin, from American Spanish puya (plant of the genus Puya), perhaps from Spanish puya goad, perhaps from (assumed) Vulgar Latin puga; akin to Latin pungere to prick, sting