Castor oil plant

Ricinus communis, Fam. Euphorbiaceae

Perennial many-branched sub-shrub to 3m. Stems hollow, glabrous, pale dull green, sometimes with reddish tinge.


Weed Category:	Locally Declared Plants Under the Local Law provision of the Local Government Act 1993, Local Government may declare a weed specifically for their Council area and enforce their control.
Weed:	Yes
Form or habit:	Shrub
Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Leaf:	Simple Alternate Simple, alternate, about 300mm in diameter, deeply palmately divided into 7-10 finely toothed lobes that radiate from the stout, hollow 100-300mm long stalk. Young leaves glossy reddish-brown, becoming green on maturity. Crushed leaves have an objectionable smell.
Flower conspicuous:	Conspicuous
Flower colour:	Yellow, Cream
Flower description:	About 10mm in diameter, crowded on long stout erect spikes. Fluffy cream or yellow flowers are male, flowers with conspicuous feathery red styles are female.
Fruit conspicuous:	Conspicuous
Fruit colour:	Green
Fruit:	Fleshy
Fruit description:	Greenish, fleshy, egg-shaped 3-valved capsules, 20-30mm across, covered with soft green or red spines and containing 3 smooth mottled black and fawn seeds, about 10mm long.
Habitat:
Distribution
Food source for:
Toxicity:	Toxic if ingested, potential allergen, irritant sap, toxic or irritant to domestic pets, toxic to native animals
Origin:	Africa and Asia
Notes:	Spread by: seeds explosively ejected some distance from the parent plant at maturity; also water, contaminated soil and garden waste. Invades/threats: creek banks, neglected areas and roadsides. Capable of forming dense populations. Notes: widespread, large colonies throughout the region. Poisonous: plants can cause respiratory and eye irritation; seeds extremely toxic and can be lethal to both humans and stock. Castor oil produced from seeds is used medicinally and in industry.
Information sources:	Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition.