Ricinus communis (Castorbean)

Ricinus communis (Castorbean) red flower close up with yellow pollen dusting on a dark stem
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) flower with red spike parts and yellow pollen on a thick stem.

Botanical name: Ricinus communis

Common names: Castorbean, Castor Oil plant, Palma Christi, Ricin, Wonder tree, Krapata

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Origin: Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Large shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftPlant form: Large bush or small tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 10-20 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
Red, crimson, vinous flowersFlower color: Red, crimson, vinous
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Toxic or PoisonousIrritating or toxic: Toxic plant/plant part
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

30-40 ft tall tropical perennial usually behaves as an annual in the temperate regions where it grows up to 10 ft tall. There are several cultivated varieties with strikingly different foliage colorations, including purple, dark red, bronze-green, maroon, bright green with white veins, and just plain green. Although it grows very rapidly with little care or insect pests and produces a mass of lush tropical foliage, its use in cultivation should be discouraged because of the extremely poisonous seeds. Blooms most of the year in dense inflorescences, with female flowers just above the male flowers. Castorbean is cultivated for the seeds which yield a fast-drying, non-yellowing oil, used mainly in industry and medicines. The castor oil is extracted from the beans, which is used for medicinal purposes. In S. American traditional medicine the juice from the leaves is used against rheumatism, headache, ringworms and warts.


Image gallery: 20 images
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) dark purple flower spike, close up of botanical structure on plant.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) spike with deep purple textures and creamy white pollen-laden flower bits.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) red fruit close up, spiky round clusters attached to thick stems.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) red fruit with multiple spiky, round clusters on sturdy woody stems.
Ricinus communis purple spiky fruit close up on thick deep red stems.
Ricinus communis clusters of spiky purple fruit attached to thick woody stems.
Ricinus communis green leaves with red stems and spiked fruit close up view
Ricinus communis foliage with vibrant red stems and small spiked fruit clusters visible.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) green fruit red flower spike close up for tropical plant identification
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) spike with green developing fruit and small red filaments near the top
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) dark purple leaves with vibrant red flower spikes in this plant
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) with large palm-like dark purple leaves and long red flower spikes.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) green spiky fruit cluster close up, natural round segments, small thorny spikes.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) green fruit cluster with multiple segments covered in tiny soft sharp spikes.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) close up with red and green flower structures on the stem.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) displays textured red and green flower parts along the upright woody stem.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) with large dark purple leaves spreading wide on a tall tropical plant.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) with pointed leaves of dark purple color spread out on the main stem.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) plant with dark purple leaves, a tall upright branching tree form
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) plant reaching toward the sky with distinct palmately lobed purple foliage
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) red fruit close up against green leaves and white wall background
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) spiked red fruit clusters hanging near jagged green foliage against a white wall.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) with red stems and buds alongside a yellow flower close up
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) branch with red stems, round buds, and a yellow flower cluster.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) dark purple red fruit in a close up, rounded prickly seed pods.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) rounded prickly seed pods in a close up, showing dark purple red exterior.
Ricinus communis green leaves with red stems and dark fruit close up
Ricinus communis leaves with reddish stems and cluster of dark purple fruit.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) bronze green palmate leaves close up with pointed serrated edges
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) showing distinct palmate leaf shape with bronzed tones and serrated edges
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) red fruit close up, spiky round clusters on thorny stems.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) displays vibrant red, spiky fruit clusters hanging from thick woody branches.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) deep maroon palmate leaves on the plant for a close up
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) reveals large deeply serrated maroon leaves spreading out from the central stems.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) plant with deep purple leaves and vivid red flower spikes.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) displays large star-shaped purple leaves alongside spiked red flower clusters on branches.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) with maroon spiky fruit in a close up, leafy background plant.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) cluster of maroon spiky fruit pods attached to a thin woody stem.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) dark purple spiked fruit close up in sharp detail for garden interest.
Ricinus communis (Castorbean) clusters of dark purple spiked fruit growing on a branch during the day.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/ricinus_communis.htm
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