Invasive plants: Castor bean or Devil's Fig

Castor bean, whose scientific name is Ricinus communis, is a very ornamental shrub plant, of very fast growth able to survive long periods of drought. Therefore, it is considered one of the most invasive plants in warm and temperate climates.

Let's know something more about him.

It can reach about ten meters in height, although it is common to find specimens that do not exceed 3 meters. Its leaves, palmate and quite large, with about 8 lobes, are perennial, they do not fall in winter.

It is a plant that blooms almost all year round, from a very young age, but especially in summer. The fruit, the seed, is small, one centimeter long, reddish-brown in color, with white spots.

It is used as an ornamental and industrial plant. In gardens it can be used as hedges, or as an isolated specimen, delimiting steps for example.

The "Castor oil" is obtained from its seeds, eliminating the RICINA toxin, which is highly toxic in high doses. This oil is used against constipation, to combat baldness, and it is also used to make soaps, motor lubricant and paint desiccant.

Castor oil is an effective repellent for flies, thus preventing them from approaching the place where it is planted.

The seeds are not edible. Only ten are enough to cause death to a human being. It is not advisable to have it when there are children at home or pets.

There are two varieties: that of green leaves (the common one), and that of red leaves whose scientific name is Ricinus communis var. purple.

Resistant to drought, but not to frost. Protect from the cold if we live in climates where thermometers can drop below zero.

It reproduces by seeds, which can be sown directly. It is advisable to place one seed per pot, since it is very likely that they will all germinate and, as they grow rapidly, after a very short time they can have problems.

More information - Invasive plants: the Ailanto or Tree of the Gods

Source - infogarden