palma christi
n 1: 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 [syn: {castor-oil plant}, {castor
bean plant}, {palma christi}, {palma christ}, {Ricinus
communis}]
Palma Christi \Pal"ma Chris"ti\ [L., palm of Christ.] (Bot.)
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; -- called also {castor-oil plant}. [Sometimes
corrupted into {palmcrist}.]
[1913 Webster]
Palmic \Pal"mic\, a. [Cf. F. palmique.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the castor-oil plant
({Ricinus communis}, or {Palma Christi}) and other species of
the family {Euphorbiaceae}; -- formerly used to designate an
acid now called {ricinoleic} acid (d-12-hydroxyoleic acid,
{C18H34O3}). [Obsoles.]
[1913 Webster]
ricinoleic acid \ric`in*o"le*ic ac"id\, n. (Chem.)
An organic acid ({C18H34O3}) obtained from the castor-oil
plant ({Ricinus communis}, or {Palma Christi}) and other
species of the family {Euphorbiaceae}; chemicaly it is
d-12-hydroxyoleic acid
({CH3(CH2)5.CH(OH).CH2.CH=CH.(CH2)7COOH}). Formerly called
{palmic acid}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Castor bean \Cas"tor bean`\ (Bot.)
The bean or seed of the castor-oil plant ({Ricinus communis},
or {Palma Christi}.)
[1913 Webster]
Castor oil \Cas"tor oil\ (k[a^]s"t[~e]r oil`).
A mild cathartic oil, expressed or extracted from the seeds
of the {Ricinus communis}, or {Palma Christi}. When fresh the
oil is inodorous and insipid.
[1913 Webster]
{Castor-oil plant}. Same as {Palma Christi}.
[1913 Webster]