Ricinus communis

Euphorbiaceae

Castor oil plant

Fast-growing, upright shrub to 1.5m high by 1m wide, usually grown as an annual. The palmate leaves are large, deeply lobed and mid-green. The red and green, felt-like flower spikes occur during summer. The seed pods are round and prickly.

Uses

Castor oil plant is grown for its ornamental foliage. The treated seed oil is used as a purgative for medicinal purposes. Can become invasive.

Culture

Grow in full sun in a temperate climate. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Frost resistant, but grow as an annual in cool climates. Stake if required. Propagate by seed. All parts of the plant is poisonous.

Propagation

No information available at this time...

Cultivars

No information available at this time...

Plant Health

No information available at this time...

More info

Plant Identification, Landscape Design and Home Garden Expert courses are available through Australian Correspondence Schools, see http://www.acs.edu.au/hort Courses on growing Annual plants are available through Australian Correspondence Schools, see http://www.acs.edu.au/hort

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