castor-oil plant

American  

[kas-ter-oil, kah-ster-] / ˈkæs tərˈɔɪl, ˈkɑ stər- /

noun

1. a tall plant, Ricinus communis, of the spurge family, cultivated for its ornamental foliage and having poisonous seeds that are the source of castor oil.

---

castor-oil plant British  

noun

1. Also called (US and Canadian): castor bean.  a tall euphorbiaceous Indian plant, Ricinus communis, cultivated in tropical regions for ornament and for its poisonous seeds, from which castor oil is extracted

---

Etymology

Origin of castor-oil plant

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

castor-oil plant

They have a few small groves of palms; had just harvested some fair-sized dhourra-fields when we were last there; and had some fields of the castor-oil plant.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462 Volume 18, New Series, November 6, 1852 by Chambers, Robert

The castor-oil plant is cultivated in the plain of Edlib.

From The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 4. (of 7): Babylon The History, Geography, And Antiquities Of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, And Sassanian or New Persian Empire; With Maps and Illustrations. by Rawlinson, George

There are two varieties of castor-oil plant in this country—one with a purple stem and bright red veins in the leaves, that is remarkably handsome.

From The Albert N'Yanza, Great Basin of the Nile by Baker, Samuel White, Sir

The castor-oil plant and many other plants of great value in medicine are indigenous in great abundance.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2 "Camorra" to "Cape Colony" by Various

The castor-oil plant is everywhere common, and furnishes most of the oil of the country.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg