Castor plant

A plant, Ricinus communis, belonging to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Castor seeds are poisonous and also contain allergens.

Current distribution is in the warmer regions of the world, the plant often growing in waste places. The castor oil plant has been of utilitarian value since antiquity. Oil from the seeds is among the world's oldest nonfood products in commerce. Castor oil contains about 85% ricinoleic acid, used in making industrial products such as alkyde resins for surface coatings, blown oil used in plasticizers, cracked oil for production of synthetic perfumes, nylon, sebacic acid, synthetic detergents, drying oils, and special lubricating oils.

Production in the United States, mostly in west Texas, peaked in 1968 but declined to nil because of larger economic return from food and fiber crops. Brazil is the world's largest producer and exporter of castor seed and oil.