Castor bean

Castor Bean

The castor bean or Ricinus communis is a species of perennial flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. It is the sole species in the monotypic genus, Ricinus, and subtribe, Ricininae. The evolution of castor and its relation to other plants are currently being studied using modern genetic tools.

Description

The castor bean plant is a fast-growing, suckering shrub that can reach the size of a small tree, around 12 m (39 ft), but it is not cold hardy. The glossy leaves are 15–45 cm (6–18 in) long, long-stalked, alternate and palmate with 5–12 deep lobes with coarsely toothed segments. In some varieties, they start off dark red, then change to a dark green, sometimes with a reddish tinge, as they mature. The plant has a hollow, prominently ridged stem and large, glossy foliage.

Cultivation and uses

Castor beans have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 4000 B.C., and the oil was used thousands of years ago in wick lamps for lighting. To this day, castor oil has a wide variety of uses, including soap production, brake fluids, and flavorings. It is also used in the production of synthetic resins, plastics, fibres, paints, varnishes, and various chemicals including drying oils and plasticizers.

Toxicity

Castor beans are highly toxic if ingested or inhaled. The toxic compound in the plant is ricin, a potent toxin that has been used in various forms as a poison and in biochemical warfare.

See also

• Ricin
• Euphorbiaceae
• Perennial plant