'Jamaica dogwood' definitions:
Definition of 'Jamaica dogwood'
(from WordNet)
noun
Small tree of West Indies and Florida having large odd- pinnate leaves and panicles of red-striped purple to white flowers followed by decorative curly winged seedpods; yields fish poisons [syn: Jamaica dogwood, fish fuddle, Piscidia piscipula, Piscidia erythrina]
Definition of 'Jamaica dogwood'
From: GCIDE
- Dogwood \Dog"wood`\ (-w[oo^]d`), n. [So named from skewers (dags) being made of it. --Dr. Prior. See Dag, and Dagger.] (Bot.) The Cornus, a genus of large shrubs or small trees, the wood of which is exceedingly hard, and serviceable for many purposes. [1913 Webster]
- Note: There are several species, one of which, {Cornus mascula}, called also cornelian cherry, bears a red acid berry. Cornus florida is the flowering dogwood, a small American tree with very showy blossoms. [1913 Webster]
- Dogwood tree. (a) The dogwood or Cornus. (b) A papilionaceous tree (Piscidia erythrina) growing in Jamaica. It has narcotic properties; -- called also Jamaica dogwood. [1913 Webster]