Ricinus communis

Non-Native to Florida

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Castor bean is a hardy plant that grows into small trees in disturbed sites from the peninsula to the central and western panhandle (Wunderlin, 2003). It is reported in 24 states from California to Michigan to New Hampshire and throughout the southeastern U.S. (Kartesz 1999). It is native to Africa and blooms from summer to fall.

Appearance: Many-branched; annual or perennial shrub, tree or herb, 1–5 m (3.3–16.5 ft) tall.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, coarse, to 40 cm (15.5 in) wide; 7–9 coarsely serrate palmate lobes, with long petiole attached near center of lower leaf surface.

Flowers: Conspicuous, upright spikes; sepals 5, petals 0; male flowers yellow; female flowers pink to pinkish red; appearing nearly year-round.

Fruit: A red, green, or bluish spiny capsule, 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in diameter, with white to tan. Very poisonous seeds.

Ecological threat: FLEPPC Category II – Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species.

Distribution: NW, NE, C, SW, SE

*Also known as: Ruellia coerulea

Text from Invasive and Non-Native Plants You Should Know, Recognition Cards, by A. Richard and V. Ramey, 2007. UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Publ. No. SP 431.

Download the Recognition Card (PDF 1.05 MB).

 

See the UF/IFAS Assessment, which lists plants according to their invasive status in Florida.

View the herbarium specimen image of the University of Florida Herbarium Digital Imaging Projects.