Castor Bean Plant

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Biocultural value

Oil pressed from the seeds was burned in lamps by the ancient Egyptians who also used it as a cosmetic ingredient and skin emollient. CAUTION: Beans are highly toxic. Seeds yield castor oil, long used as a purgative. The solid portion of the seed contains highly toxic ricin, a source of an immunotoxin that targets and potentially kills cells that harbor the HIV virus.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Pinetree Garden Seeds

Description

To 1.8m; leaves large, deep brown; flowers early, bright red.

USDA Hardiness Zone

9

Special characteristics

tender perennial, poisonous/toxic, other ethnobotanical uses, medicinal/pharmaceutical