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{{Taxobox
| name = Castor oil plant
| image = Castor bean in distubred area.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Castor bean in disturbed area
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| phylum = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Euphorbiaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Acalyphoideae]]
| tribus = [[Acalypheae]]
| subtribus = '''Ricininae'''
| genus = '''''Ricinus'''''
| species = '''''R. communis'''''
| binomial = ''Ricinus communis''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

The '''castor oil plant''', ''Ricinus communis'', is a species of [[flowering plant]] in the [[Euphorbia|spurge]] family, [[Euphorbiaceae]]. It belongs to a [[Monotype (biology)|monotypic]] [[genus]], ''Ricinus'', and [[subtribe]], Ricininae. The evolution of castor and its relation to other species is currently being studied.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.igs.umaryland.edu/?q=content/euphorbiaceae-spurge-genomics |title=Euphorbiaceae (spurge) genomics |work=Institute for Genome Sciences |publisher=[[University of Maryland, Baltimore|University of Maryland Medical School]] |accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> 

Its [[seed]] is the castor bean which, despite its name, is not a true [[bean]]. Castor is indigenous to the southeastern [[Mediterranean Basin]], [[Eastern Africa]], and [[India]], but is widespread throughout tropical regions (and widely grown elsewhere as an ornamental plant).<ref name="Phillips" />

Castor seed is the source of [[castor oil]], which has a wide variety of uses. The seeds contain between 40% and 60% oil that is rich in [[triglycerides]], mainly [[ricinolein]]. The [[Seed#Seed structure|seed]] contains [[ricin]], a [[toxin]], which is also present in lower concentrations throughout the plant.

Another plant species, ''[[Fatsia|Fatsia japonica]]'', is similar in appearance and is known as the ''false castor oil plant''.

==Description==
[[File:Ricinus March 2010-1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Female (top) and male flowers]]
Although [[monotypic]], the castor oil plant can vary greatly in its growth habit and appearance. The variability has been aggravated by breeders who have selected a range of cultivars for leaf and flower colours, and for oil production. It is a fast-growing, [[Basal shoot|suckering]] [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[shrub]] which can reach the size of a small tree (around {{convert|12|m|ft|disp=/}}), but it is not [[Hardiness (plants)|cold hardy]]. 

The glossy [[Leaf|leaves]] are {{convert|15|–|45|cm|in}} long, long-stalked, alternate and palmate with 5–12 deep lobes with coarsely toothed segments. In some varieties they start off dark reddish purple or bronze when young, gradually changing to a dark green, sometimes with a reddish tinge, as they mature. The leaves of some other varieties are green practically from the start, whereas in yet others a pigment masks the green colour of all the chlorophyll-bearing parts, leaves, stems and young fruit, so that they remain a dramatic purple-to-reddish-brown throughout the life of the plant.  Plants with the dark leaves can be found growing next to those with green leaves, so there probably is only a single gene controlling the production of the pigment in some varieties at least.<ref>e.g. http://database.prota.org/publishedspeciesEn.htm</ref> The stems (and the spherical, spiny seed capsules) also vary in pigmentation. The fruit capsules of some varieties are more showy than the flowers. 

The flowers are borne in terminal [[panicle]]-like [[inflorescence]]s of green or, in some varieties, shades of red [[Plant sexuality#Individual plant sexuality|monoecious]] flowers without petals. The male flowers are yellowish-green with prominent creamy [[stamen]]s and are carried in ovoid spikes up to {{convert|15|cm|in|}} long; the female flowers, born at the tips of the spikes, have prominent red [[stigma (flower)|stigmas]]).<ref name="Brickell">{{cite book |editor=Christopher Brickell |title=The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants |year=1996 |pages=884–885 |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |location=London |isbn=0751303038}}</ref>

The fruit is a spiny, greenish (to reddish purple) capsule containing large, oval, shiny, bean-like, highly poisonous seeds with variable brownish mottling. Castor seeds have a warty appendage called the [[caruncle]], which is a type of [[elaiosome]].  The caruncle promotes the dispersal of the seed by ants (myrmecochory).
L.hh

==Nomenclature==
The name ''Ricinus'' is a [[Latin]] word for [[tick]]; the seed is so named because it has markings and a bump at the end which resemble certain ticks.
The common name "castor oil" probably comes from its use as a replacement for [[castoreum]], a perfume base made from the dried [[perineal]] glands of the [[beaver]] (''castor'' in Latin). It has another common name, '''palm of Christ''', or ''Palma Christi'', that derives from castor oil's ability to heal wounds and cure ailments.

==Habitat, growth and horticultural uses==
Although castor is indigenous to the southeastern [[Mediterranean Basin]], [[Eastern Africa]], and [[India]], today it is widespread throughout tropical regions.<ref name="Phillips" /> In areas with a suitable climate, castor establishes itself easily as an apparently "native" plant and can often be found on wasteland. 

It is also used extensively as a decorative plant in parks and other public areas, particularly as a "dot plant" in traditional [[Bedding (horticulture)|bedding schemes]]. If sown early, under glass, and kept at a temperature of around {{convert|20|°C|°F}} until planted out, the castor oil plant can reach a height of {{convert|2|–|3|m|ft}} in a year. In areas prone to [[frost]] it is usually shorter, and grown as if it were an [[annual plant|annual]].<ref name="Phillips">{{cite book |first=Roger |last=Phillips |coauthors=Martyn Rix |year=1999 |title=Annuals and Biennials |page=106 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |isbn=0333748891}}</ref> However, it can grow well outdoors in cooler climates, at least in Southern England, and the leaves do not appear to suffer frost damage in sheltered spots, where it remains evergreen.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} It was used in Edwardian times in the parks of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.<ref>''Toronto Star'', 9 June 1906, p.&nbsp;17</ref> <!-- not sure what the following sentence meant, as there is no "white" variety or cultivar: Of the red and white variety, the red is seen as an ornamental plant, the white is used medicinally.-->

===Cultivars===
Selections have been made by breeders for use as ornamental plants (heights refer to plants grown as annuals)<ref name="Brickell"/> 
*'Gibsonii' has red-tinged leaves with reddish veins and pinkish-green seed pods; 
*'Carmencita Pink' is similar, with pinkish-red stems; 
*'Carmencita Bright Red' has red stems, dark purplish leaves and red seed pods; 
(all the above grow to around {{convert|1.5|m|ft}} tall as annuals)<ref name="Phillips" /> 
*'Impala' is compact (only {{convert|1.2|m|ft|disp=/}} tall) with reddish foliage and stems, brightest on the young shoots; 
*'Red Spire' is tall ({{convert|2|–|3|m|ft|disp=/}}) with red stems and bronze foliage; 
*'Zanzibarensis' is also tall ({{convert|2|–|3|m|ft|disp=/}}), with large, mid-green leaves ({{convert|50|cm|in|disp=/}} long) that have white midribs.<ref name="Brickell"/> 

==Plant-animal interactions==
''Ricinus communis'' is the host plant of the Common Castor butterfly (''[[Ariadne merione]]''), the Eri silkmoth (''[[Samia cynthia|Samia cynthia ricini]]''), and the Castor Semi-Looper moth (''[[Achaea janata]]''). It is also used as a food plant by the [[larva]]e of some other species of [[Lepidoptera]], including ''[[Hypercompe|Hypercompe hambletoni]]'' and the Nutmeg (''[[Discestra trifolii]]'').

==Toxicity==
{{mainarticle|Ricin}}
The toxicity of raw castor beans due to the presence of [[ricin]] is well-known. Although the lethal dose in adults is considered to be 4 to 8 seeds, reports of actual poisoning are relatively rare.<ref>Wedin, G.P., Neal, J.S., Everson, G.W., and Krenzelok, E.P. 1986. ''Castor bean poisoning.'' Am J Emerg Med. 4(3): 259-61. ([http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=AbstractPlus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=3964368 abstract])</ref>. According to the 2007 edition of the [[Guinness Book of World Records]], this plant is the most poisonous in the world.

If ingested, symptoms may be delayed by up to 36 hours but commonly begin within 2–4 hours. These include a burning sensation in mouth and throat, abdominal pain, purging and bloody diarrhea. Within several days there is severe dehydration, a drop in blood pressure and a decrease in urine. Unless treated, death can be expected to occur within 3–5 days, however in most cases a full recovery can be made.<ref>Ricinus communis (Castor bean) - [[Cornell University]] 2008. [http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/castorbean.html]</ref>

Poisoning occurs when animals ingest broken seeds or break the [[seed]] by chewing: intact seeds may pass through the digestive tract without releasing the toxin.  Toxicity varies among animal species: 4 seeds will kill a rabbit, 5 a sheep, 6 an ox or horse, 7 a pig, 11 a dog, but it takes 80 to kill a duck.<ref>[http://faculty.ucc.edu/biology-ombrello/POW/castor_bean.htm Union County College: Biology: Plant of the Week: Castor Bean Plant]</ref>  The toxin provides the castor oil plant with some degree of natural protection from insect pests, such as aphids.  In fact, ricin has been investigated for its potential use as an [[insecticide]]. The castor oil plant is also the source for [[undecylenic acid]], a natural [[fungicide]].

==Modern commercial usage==
[[Image:2006castor oil seed.PNG|thumb|left|Castor oil seed output in 2006]]
{{Main|Castor oil}}
Global castor seed production is around 1 million tons per year. Leading producing areas are [[India]] (with over 60% of the global yield), [[China]] and [[Brazil]], and it is widely grown as a crop in [[Ethiopia]]. There are several active breeding programmes. 
<br style="clear:both" />

===Production===
[[India]] is world leader in castor bean production, followed by [[China]] and then [[Brazil]].

{| border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="wikitable" align=left style="clear:left"
! colspan=5|Top ten castor oil seed producers — 11 June 2008
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="25%" | Country
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="15%" | Production ([[Tonne]]s)
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | Footnote
|-
| {{IND}} || align=right |830 000 || align=right | *
|-
| {{PRC}} || align=right |210 000 || align=right | *
|-
| {{BRA}} || align=right |91 510 || align=right |
|-
| {{ETH}} || align=right |15 000 || align=right | F
|-
| {{PRY}} || align=right |12 000 || align=right | F
|-
| {{THA}} || align=right |11 052 || align=right |
|-
| {{VNM}} || align=right |5 000 || align=right | *
|-
| {{ZAF}} || align=right |4 900 || align=right | F
|-
| {{PHI}} || align=right |4 500 || align=right | F
|-
| {{AGO}} || align=right |3 500 || align=right | F
|-
| bgcolor=#cccccc|{{noflag}}'''World'''
| bgcolor=#cccccc align=right | ' ''1 209 756 '''
| bgcolor=#cccccc align=right | '''A'''
|-
|colspan=5 style="font-size:.7em"|No symbol = official figure, P = official figure, F = FAO estimate, * = Unofficial/Semi-official/mirror data, C = Calculated figure A = Aggregate (may include official, semi-official or estimates);<br>
Source: [http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567#ancor Food And Agricultural Organization of United Nations: Economic And Social Department: The Statistical Division]
|}
{{-}}

===Other modern uses===
In Brazil, castor oil (locally known as mamona oil) is now being used to produce [[biodiesel]]. In rural areas, the abundant seeds are used by children for [[slingshot]] balls, as they have the right weight, size, and hardness. 

The attractive castor seeds are used in jewelry, mainly necklaces and bracelets.  This practice is highly dangerous, due to the extreme toxicity of the seeds, especially if the seedcoat is drilled for stringing.

Castor oil in a processed form, called [[Polyglycerol polyricinoleate]]--or PGPR,  is currently being used in chocolate bar manufacture as a less expensive substitute to cocoa butter.

==Historical usage==
Castor seeds have been found in [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] tombs dating back to 4000 BC; the slow burning oil was used mostly to fuel lamps. [[Herodotus]] and other [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] travelers noted the use of castor seed oil for lighting, body ointments, and improving hair growth and texture. [[Cleopatra]] is reputed to have used it to brighten the whites of her eyes. The [[Ebers Papyrus]] is an ancient Egyptian medical treatise believed to date from 1552 BC. Translated in 1872, it describes castor oil as a [[laxative]].

The use of castor bean oil in [[India]] has been documented since 2000 BC in lamps and in local medicine as a [[laxative]], [[purgative]], and [[cathartic]] in [[Unani]], [[Ayurvedic]] and other [[ethnomedical]] systems. Traditional [[Ayurvedic]] medicine considers castor oil the king of medicinals for curing arthritic diseases.

Castor seed and its oil have also been used in [[China]] for centuries, mainly prescribed in local medicine for internal use or use in dressings. <!--for wounds?--><!--I would hope so! Castor oil salad dressing might be a dangerous substance!-->

It was used in rituals of sacrifice to please the gods in early civilizations.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} <!--it would be nice to have some examples?-->

Castor oil is known to have been used as an instrument of coercion by the paramilitary [[Blackshirts]] under the regime of [[Italian Fascism|Italian]] dictator [[Benito Mussolini]]. Dissidents and regime opponents were forced to ingest the oil in large amounts, triggering severe [[diarrhoea]] and [[dehydration]], which could ultimately cause death. This punishment method was originally thought of by [[Gabriele D'Annunzio]], the Italian poet and Fascist supporter, during the [[First World War]]. (''See also: [[Castor oil#Use as a means of intimidation in Fascist Italy|Castor oil: Use as a means of intimidation in Fascist Italy]]'')

==Common names==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-1-of-2}}
*[[Arabic]]: Khirwa' خروع
*[[Brazil]]: Carrapateiro, mamona
*[[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 蓖麻
*[[Colombia]]: Aceite de Ricino
*[[Dhivehi Language|Dhivehi]]: Aamanaka, އާމަނަކަ
*[[Ethiopia]]: Gulo
*[[Greece]]: Retsinoladia, Ρετσινολαδιά
*[[Hebrew]]:Kikayon, קיקיון
*[[India]]: 
**[[Assamese language|Assamese]] - Era-gach
**[[Bangla]] - Erando, Veranda
**[[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] - Divel,
**[[Hindi]] - Arandi, 
**[[Kannada language|Kannada]] - Haralenne,
**[[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] - Chittamankku
**[[Marathi language|Marathi]] - Errand,
**[[Oriya language|Oriya]] - Jada,
**[[Tamil language|Tamil]] - Aamanakku (ஆமணக்கு), 
**[[Telugu language|Telugu]] - Aavadam, Aamudalu
{{Col-2-of-2}}
*[[Indonesia]]: Jarak (Java), Dulang/ Gloah (Sumatra)
*[[Iran]]: Karchak, کرچک
*[[Japan]]: 唐胡麻 Tougoma, 箆麻 Hima
*[[Kurdish language|Kurdish]]: Gerchek, گه‌رچه‌ک
*[[Korean language|Korean]]: 아주까리 Ajukari, 피마자(蓖麻子) Pimaja
*[[Maltese language|Maltese]]: Żejt ir-Riegnu
*[[Mexico]]: Higuerilla
*[[Nicaragua]]: Higuera or higueria
*[[Poland]]: Rącznik
*[[Portugal]]: Figueira do Diabo
*[[Puerto Rico]]: Higuereta
*[[Sinhala language|Sinhala]]: Endaru, Thel-endaru
*[[Turkish]]: Hint yağı bitkisi 
{{Col-end}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Pollen Ricinus communis sanguineus.jpg|''Ricinus communis'', pollen (scanning electron microscope image)
Image:Castor_beans.jpg|''Ricinus communis'', seed
Image:Ricinus frucht 01.jpg|''Ricinus communis'', fruit
Image:Young castor bean plant showing prominent cotyledons.jpg|Seedling showing prominent [[cotyledon]]s
Image:CastorBean_Leaves_Flowers_and_YoungFruit.jpg|''Ricinus communis'', flowers and fruit
Image:Ricinus comm leaves.jpg|''Ricinus communis'' "Carmencita" in a garden in the Netherlands
Image:Ricinus closer 9-2-06.jpg|''Ricinus communis''
Image:Castor_plant.jpg|''Ricinus communis'', fruit and leaf, [[Cornell Plantations]] 2008
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Castor oil]]
* [[Ricin]]
* [[Poison]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Everitt |first=J.H. |coauthors=Lonard, R.L., Little, C.R. |title=Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico |publisher=Texas Tech University Press |location=Lubbock |year=2007}} ISBN 0-89672-614-2

==External links==
{{Commons|Ricinus communis}}
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Ricinus_communis.html ''Ricinus communis L.''] at Purdue University
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/castor.html ''Castor beans''] at Purdue University
* [http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/castorbean.html ''Ricinus communis'' (castor bean)] at Cornell University

{{DEFAULTSORT:Castor Oil Plant}}
[[Category:Euphorbiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants]]
[[Category:Flora of the Maldives]]
[[Category:Flora naturalised in Australia]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
[[Category:Monotypic plant genera]]
{{Link GA|de}}

[[ar:خروع]]
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[[bg:Рицин]]
[[ca:Ricí]]
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[[de:Wunderbaum]]
[[es:Ricinus communis]]
[[eo:Ricino]]
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[[gu:દિવેલી]]
[[ko:피마자]]
[[hi:अरण्डी]]
[[hsb:Wšědny ricinus]]
[[id:Jarak (tumbuhan)]]
[[it:Ricinus communis]]
[[he:קיקיון מצוי]]
[[ka:აბუსალათინი]]
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[[hu:Ricinus]]
[[ml:ആവണക്ക്]]
[[ms:Pokok Jarak]]
[[nl:Wonderboom]]
[[ja:トウゴマ]]
[[pl:Rącznik pospolity]]
[[pt:Mamona]]
[[ro:Ricin]]
[[ru:Клещевина]]
[[simple:Castor oil plant]]
[[fi:Risiini]]
[[sv:Ricin (växt)]]
[[ta:ஆமணக்கு மரம்]]
[[te:ఆముదము]]
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[[tr:Hint yağı bitkisi]]
[[uk:Рицина]]
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[[zh:蓖麻]]
[[Category:2Fix]]