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.

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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

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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

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 is everywhere common, and furnishes most of the oil of the country.

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

The castor-oil plant has been introduced, but as yet the unprofitable silk-tree and the wild bushes are far more common.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 428 Volume 17, New Series, March 13, 1852 by Chambers, William

The castor-oil plant is a green and succulent shoot about six feet in height, with white flowers hanging in bunches like hops.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 15, No. 89, May, 1875 by Various