Ricinus communis (Castor Oil Plant)
Single species from the genus Ricinus and from the family Euphorbiaceae, native to Northeast Africa, totay in all tropical regions worldwide, in some southern states of the U.S.A. even invasively. It grows as annual plant in temperte climates like in Germany, in the tropics as one shrub or tree, is very fast growing, under ideal conditions it can grow up to 17 feet (5 meters) in only 3 or 4 months. In the tropics it does reach 23 feet (13 meters) after several years and forms one woody trunk. In saisonal climates the plants grows as perennial and dies back every year and regrows then in the spring and with appropriate insolation.
The alternate standing leaves are 12 to 28 inches (30 to 70 cm) large, glossy, green or at some cultivars reddish to deep purple colored like at our specimens in our garden, have long petiols and are five- to eleven-lobate hand-formed. Also the strongly water-contained stems are reddish overcrowded at some cultivars.
The inflorescences are terminal and panicly. the plants are monocous unisexual. The monocous blossoms are unremarkable and greenish yellow. In the upper half of the inflorescence are female blossoms forming, which are recognizable at red pistils, in the lower half only the male blossoms (it is similar at the bananas, but conversely) with its typical yellow stamens. The capsule fruits are reddish-brown, tricular and by soft spins occupied, and contain the reddish-brown-marmorate, bean-shaped seeds, which are poisonous.
The species loves one full sunny, warm and windless place. The soil should be humuous and fertile and with good drainage. One good water supply promotes the growth, but not necessary after growing on, however the plant tolerantes drought seasons.
The castor oil plant is used as medicinal plant, all parts of the plant are poisonous. From seeds is castor oil producted, which is appearing laxative.
Ricinus communis in our garden in December 2009.
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Created by Joachim Jaeck on March 10th, 2010