castor-oil plant

[kas-ter-oil, kah-ster-]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of castor-oil plant¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

For florists, the danger isn’t metaphorical; Thompson recalls a colleague who was momentarily blinded when handling a castor-oil plant.

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When in the same plant there are unisexual flowers, both male and female, the plant is said to be monoecious, as in the hazel and castor-oil plant.

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The figure is drawn on the floor with flour or rice, turmeric, charcoal powder, and leaves of the castor-oil plant.

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Our Indians had for torches long strips of the castor-oil plant, which the wind only ignited more thoroughly, and with these they led the way.

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

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