2 definitions
for Jamaica dogwood
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
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]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 :
Jamaica dogwood
n : 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: fish fuddle, Piscidia
piscipula, Piscidia erythrina]
