Castor-oil Plant (Noun)
Meaning
Large shrub of tropical Africa and Asia having large palmate leaves and spiny capsules containing seeds that are the source of castor oil and ricin; widely naturalized throughout the tropics.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The castor oil plant is a large shrub that can be found in tropical Africa and Asia and is known for its palmate leaves and spiny capsules.
- The castor oil plant has become widely naturalized throughout the tropics due to its ability to grow in a variety of environments.
- Local residents used the seeds from the castor oil plant to extract castor oil which they used for medicinal and culinary purposes.
- The large palmate leaves and vibrant green color of the castor oil plant make it a popular ornamental plant in tropical gardens.
- The toxic seed of the castor oil plant contains a compound called ricin which is highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested.