Ricinus
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castor bean
(′kas·tər ′bēn)
(botany) The seed of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), a coarse, erect annual herb in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) of the order Geraniales.
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Ricinus
Taylor's Guide to Annuals:
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Ricinus
Spurge family
Euphorbiaceae
Ris'i-nus. A single species of gigantic herbs or trees, probably originally native to Africa, but now widespread throughout the tropics and subtropics. Beans are a source of castor oil and poison. Grown in the garden for its leaves.
Description
Leaves alternate, simple, with long stems. Flowers in panicles, male below, female above.
How to Grow
Where summers are short, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost. Where summers are long, sow outdoors in warm soil. Do not peel or nick seeds because their juice can cause severe allergic problems. Seeds are highly poisonous and should not be planted in households with children. Plant prefers warm weather.
Ricinus communis
Castor Bean
;
Castor-Oil Plant
. 4-15 ft. (1.2-4.5 m) high, though in the tropical areas it grows to 30 ft. (9 m) high. Leaves often 3 ft. (90 cm) wide. Flowers in dense terminal clusters often 1-2 ft. (30-60 cm) long, the individual flowers in. (13 mm) wide, reddish brown, without petals. Tropical Africa. Many cultivars, including one with much larger green leaves, another with red stems and bluish-gray leaves, and several others with red, variegated, or white-veined leaves. Tender annual.
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