Castor Bean

Title

Castor Bean

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Ricinus communis L.

Description

Common Names

Castor Bean, Castor Oil Plant

Euphorbiaceae

Ricinus communis grows as an annual to 5 meters (usually shorter) in height with hollow internodes. The palmate leaves are arranged alternately to 60 cm in length, peltate with 5-11 lobes. The lobes have a serrate margin and an acute apex.

The flowers are arranged in terminal and axillary racemes with staminate flowers below and carpellate flowers above. Each flower has 5 sepals. The staminate flowers have no corolla and numerous stamen-like structures arising from the receptacle. The carpellate flowers have a single superior ovary with 3 red stigmas, 3 locules, and numerous seeds. The fruit is a capsule at maturity covered with spine-like projections.

Ricinus communis grows in human disturbed areas (fields, yards, roadsides)

Ricinus communis, while not native to the Bahamian Archipelago, is widespread throughout the islands. It is native to Africa but is currently distributed widely across the globe.

Ricinus communis is used in the Bahamas to treat gastrointestinal problems (constipation) and pain (headaches).

Elsewhere in the Caribbean it is used parturition as well as to treat gonorrhea.

The seeds are considered poisonous to eat but oils produced from it are used as an emetic and for machine oil.

This is the species that the deadly toxin Ricin is produced from.