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Central QLD Coast Landcare Network

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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.

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