vingerpoln.
/ˈvɪŋɡəpɒl/, /ˈfɪŋɡəpɒl/, U.S. /ˈvɪŋɡərˌpɑl/, /ˈfɪŋɡərˌpɑl/, South African English /ˈfɪŋəpɒl/ South African.
One of several African species of Euphorbia producing succulent branches which resemble fingers.
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the world > plants > particular plants > cactus and allies > [noun] > other cacti
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1875 J. Noble Descr. Handbk. Cape Colony 178 The ‘vingerpol’ is another succulent plant in use: it has great fleshy fingers growing out of a crown, a foot in diameter.
1883 M. A. Carey-Hobson Farm in Karoo 196 ‘Another very curious plant, circle within circle of things like fingers.’ ‘That is just what it is called... “Finger-pole”.’
1889 H. A. Bryden Kloof & Karroo 258 Spent and foundered oxen,..when fed with fingerpoll, regained vitality.
1932 J. M. Watt & M. G. Breyer-Brandwijk Med. & Poisonous Plants S. Afr. 104 Euphorbia esculenta Marl., Vingerpol, a drought-resisting plant of the Karroo; must not be confused with Euphorbia caput medusae, also known as Vingerpol. The former is a valuable fodder, the latter poisonous.
1966 E. Palmer Plains of Camdeboo xvi. 260 I dreamed I was struggling with a giant Vingerpol that bounced solidly and fleshily upon me.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1875