plumbago

noun

plum·​ba·​go ˌpləm-ˈbā-(ˌ)gō 

plural plumbagos

1

[New Latin, from Latin] : any of a genus (Plumbago of the family Plumbaginaceae, the plumbago family) of chiefly tropical herbs and shrubs with alternate leaves and spikes of showy flowers

2

: graphite sense 1

Examples of plumbago in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

South African blue plumbagos add a burst of color and thrive in the heat, as do the flapjack plants. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

Full sun Also known as plumbago, leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is a low-growing ground cover perennial that produces blue flowers from mid-summer to mid-fall. — Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026

Ferns, giant lavender, plumbago, rosemary, broom, and laurels grow on the mountain at its center. — Marzio Mian, The Dial, 12 June 2025

In addition to being deer-resistant, plumbago is tough as nails, drought tolerant, and fast-growing, though not invasive. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin plumbagin-, plumbago galena, from plumbum

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for plumbago

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Medical Definition

plumbago

noun

plum·​ba·​go ˌpləm-ˈbā-(ˌ)gō 

plural plumbagos

: graphite