*Ricinus communis Linnaeus. Castor-bean, Castor-oil Plant, Palma Christi. Phen: Jul-Oct (-May). Hab: Waste places, gardens. Dist: Native of ne. Africa.
Origin/Endemic status: Subsaharan Africa
Other Comments: The seeds are dangerously poisonous, formerly the source of an oil used as a purgative and machine lubricant. In FL and farther south in the tropics, R. communis is a small to medium tree.
Synonymy: = Ar, Bah, C, F, Fl2, FNA12, G, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mi, NcTx, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, WH3, Govaerts, Frodin, & Radcliffe-Smith (2000)
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily: 7
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