| > The castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, is a plant species of the Euphorbiaceae (the evolution of this plant family is relatively unexplored) the sole member of the genus Ricinus and of the subtribe Ricininae. Its seed is the castor bean which, despite its name, is not a true bean. 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 coat is poisonous.
Castor seeds have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 4000 BC. Greek travelers have 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.
Plant castor bean plants in the garden, flowerbed, around the yard border to prevent moles and other ground dwelling rodents from entering and digging up your yard while placing large bold leafed tropical looking plants in your landscape.
Plant can reach 15 feet in height and spread to 10 feet in diameter.
Plant now in fall so seed can over winter and sprout at first spring warmth.
This variety is the common heirloom variety with dark hunter green to purple leaves, silvery-purple stalk and flowers.
This is the most common grown in the US and is fully acclimated to Midwestern US climates. 10 seeds shipped in bubble envelope $1.09 + S&H.
Seeds harvested from 2008 crop and should be planted fall to winter of 2008.
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