Lexic.us

Definition of Palma christi

1. Noun. 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.

Medical Definition of Palma christi

1. A plant (Ricinus communis) with ornamental peltate and palmately cleft foliage, growing as a woody perennial in the tropics, and cultivated as an herbaceous annual in temperate regions. Synonym: castor-oil plant. [Sometimes corrupted into palmcrist. Origin: L, palm of Christ. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

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Lexicographical Neighbors of Palma Christi

Literary usage of Palma christi

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1866)
"... palma christi (Let.). One of the names ot' the Castor-oil plant, Ricinus communie. Palmare« ib.it. from palma, the hand). Muscles belonging to the hand. ..."

2. Journal of Voyages and Travels by the Rev. Daniel Tyerman and George Bennet by Daniel Tyerman, George Bennet, London Missionary Society (1832)
"Magnificent Natural Panorama —Night-scene—Bans of Marriage—palma christi and other Plants— Native Martyrs—Great Marae—Arabu, Chief of Eimeo—Cowries, &c. ..."

3. Narratives of South America, Illustrating Manners, Customs, and Scenery by Charles Empson (1836)
"I was surprised, on the third morning of my bondage, to see one plant of the palma christi, which was six feet high, entirely divested of its leaves by the ..."

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