Swaziland's Alien Plants Database

Ricinus communis L.

EUPHORBIACEAE

castor bean, castorbean tree, castor oil bush, castor oil plant, castor oil tree, wonder tree

Invasive, Problem species

Origin: Tropical East and North Eastern Africa

Growth Form: Herb

Plant Description: Plant: Annual herb, softly woody shrub or small tree up to 4 m high; sap not milky (as in Jatropha spp.), leaf and flowering stalks often with a grey bloom. Leaves: Shiny, dark green or reddish, paler below, large, up to 300 mm wide, palmately five- to nine-lobed, margins closely serrated, petioles up to 300 mm long. Flowers: Reddish (upper), cream (lower), on stalks up to 150 mm long, August–April (–all year). Fruit: Green, brown or reddish, three-lobed capsules, 10–15 mm long, covered with soft spines; seeds silvery mottled-brown “beans”.

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More information:
Weeds & Invasive Plants Home Page
NRCS Plants Database

Illustration