Castor
Ricinus communis L.
Ricinus communis L., commonly known as castor, is a perennial flowering plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. It is the only species in the genus Ricinus and the subtribe Ricininae. The species was first described in 1753. It is native to regions in Portugal, Brazil, and several islands in the Atlantic, including the Açores, Madeira, and others. It has been recorded in various localities such as Cuenca río Amoyá and Cuenca río Prado, among others.
Description
Ricinus communis is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family and is the sole species in the genus Ricinus. It is distributed across several regions in Portugal, Brazil, and Atlantic islands. The plant is known for its economic and botanical significance. Historical records note that the specific epithet was originally spelled 'spinosum' in the protologue. The type specimen was later questioned due to post-1753 additions to the collection. The species is widely recognized for its use in producing castor oil.
Other common names
CastorCastor BeanCastor Oil PlantCastor PlantCastor-BeanCastor-Bean-PlantCastor-Oil-PlantCastorbeanOil Nut TreeOilnutPalma ChristiPalma-Christi
Distribution
Açores · Madeira · Portugal Continental · Antioquia, Boyacá, Chocó, Cundinamarca, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, San Andrés y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Valle del Cauca · BR · Corvo Island · Faial Island · Flores Island · Graciosa Island · Pico Island · Santa Maria Island · São Jorge Island · São Miguel Island · Terceira Island · Madeira Island · Porto Santo island · Selvagens · Cuenca río Amoyá: Maíto, Chaparral (763 msnm), Cuenca río Prado: Vereda Varsovia, Cunday; Embalse, Prado · Tuluá · SFF Iguaque | Parque Nacional Natural Macuira · TR · Distrito Regional de Manejo Integrado (DRMI) Laguna de Sonso, municipio de Guadalajara de Buga, Valle del Cauca, Colombia · TW · VU · TN · ZA · SC · LK · Rapa Nui - Easter Islands · CL
Synonyms
Ricinus africanusRicinus angulatusRicinus armatusRicinus atropurpureusRicinus badiusRicinus borboniensisRicinus cambodgensisRicinus communis var. aegyptiacusRicinus communis var. africanusRicinus communis var. amblyocalyxRicinus communis f. americanusRicinus communis f. argentatusRicinus communis f. argyratusRicinus communis var. armatusRicinus communis f. atratusRicinus communis f. atrobrunneatusRicinus communis f. atrofulvatusRicinus communis f. atrofuscatusRicinus communis f. atrophoeniceusRicinus communis f. atropunicatusRicinus communis f. atropurpureatusRicinus communis f. avellanatusRicinus communis var. badiusRicinus communis var. bailundensisRicinus communis var. benguelensisRicinus communis f. blumeanusRicinus communis var. brasiliensisRicinus communis var. brevinodisRicinus communis var. caesiusRicinus communis f. canatus
