Dictionary
phys'ic nut"
1. an ornamental, tropical American tree,
Jatropha curcas, of the spurge family, having ivylike leaves, small, yellow or greenish-yellow flowers, and olive-shaped fruit yielding a purgative, poisonous oil.
2. the fruit itself. Also called
Barbados nut, purging nut. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.