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Ricinus
cummunis is better known as Castor Oil Plant or Castor
Bean. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceous family. The
original form, probably a native of Africa or East India.
Now grown in all warmer regions. It is a fast-growing,
suckering perennial shrub which can reach the size of a
small tree (around 12 m). Ricinus communis is a
large plant used mainly for spot planting in display beds.
It can be use as a solitary subject or in groups in grass
or in front of buildings. It is good as a backdrop for
flowers, generally used to mask walls and fences, but it
is also used in large containers and earthenware urns,
where it is very attractive even though it is not as
large as when grown in the open ground.
Ricinus communis embraces many forms differing in height,
coloring of the leaves and shape of the seed. Although
monotypic, the castor oil plant can vary greatly in its
growth habit and appearance. It grows well outside and
the leaves do not appear to suffer frost damage in
sheltered spots, where it remains evergreen. In areas
prone to frost it is usually shorter and grown as if it
were an annual.
The glossy leaves are 15–45 cm long, palmate,
with 5–12 deep lobes, and toothed margins. Their
color varies from dark green, sometimes with a reddish
tinge, to dark reddish purple or bronze, the one I am
selling has red leaves. The stems and the spherical,
spiny seedpods also vary in pigmentation. The pods are
showier than the flowers, the male flowers are yellowish-green
with prominent creamy stamens and they are carried in
ovoid spikes up to 15 cm long; the female flowers,
borne at the tips of the spikes, have prominent red
stigmas.
Hardiness zone: 9-11, (-5°C/25°F, 4°C/40°F) in winter.
This plant requires a well-drained soil and a warm, sunny
position. The young plants can be place outdoors only
after all risk of frost has past. Fertilizer can be used
as needed and the plants watered liberally. The repotting
should occur in the spring.
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