Ca·lum·ba n.  Med. The root of a plant (Jateorrhiza Calumba, and probably Cocculus palmatus), indigenous in Mozambique. It has an unpleasantly bitter taste, and is used as a tonic and antiseptic. [Written also colombo, columbo, and calombo.]
 American calumba, the Frasera Carolinensis, also called American gentian. Its root has been used in medicine as bitter tonic in place of calumba.

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 Co·lum·bo n. Med. See Calumba.

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 columbo
      n : any of various tall perennial herbs constituting the genus
          Frasera; widely distributed in warm dry upland areas of
          California, Oregon, and Washington [syn: {American
          columbo, deer's-ear, deer's-ears, pyramid plant, {American
          gentian]