Euphorbiaceae

Ricinus communis

Common Names: Castor oil plant

Plant Form: Perennial large shrub. Size: Usually 3 m tall but occasionally reaching 10 m. Stem: Stout, hollow, dull pale green or red. Leaves: Large 10-40 cm diameter, star shaped with toothed edges, dark red-brown or green-blue, on stalks 10-30 cm long. Flowers: Red or creamy yellow without petals, clustered at end of stems. Present year round. Fruit and Seeds: Spherical 1-3 cm diameter, with red or green soft spines. Seeds are smooth shiny grey or whitish 1.5 cm long. Habitat: Watercourses, floodplains, neglected areas, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: May resemble Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia), but much larger, not hairy, and with spiny fruit. Impacts: Extremely toxic to people and animals, especially the seeds. Outcompetes native vegetation.