Ornamental Castor Oil Bean in my garden.

Ricinus Communis Castor Oil Bean

 I had what was probably my most beautiful garden when I lived on Woodville Rd. here in Richland County.  I grew a wide diversity of plants there, among them, Ricinus Communis, Castor Oil Bean.  It is an ornamental which has an exotic appearance bringing to mind the tropics.

Ricinus Communis Castor Bean

This summer, I am growing that plant again west of my garage here on Bennington Dr., Richland County.  I have increased my interest in photography a great deal since the early 80’s and am enjoying photographing it.

Ricinus Communis Castor Bean

This is the fruit.  It is highly poisonous and one should not eat it or rub it on the skin.  It seems to me that I calculated one time that it would take about nine of the beans to kill one.  If you are looking for a painless death, don’t use this!  Sever gastric distress would follow.

 

I’ve been trying to remember how many fruits per Pod.

Ricinus Communis Castor Bean

 

This is one I photographed at Kingwood in July of 2005.  As you can see the blooms are red.  I hope to get that color also.

If you like pink you might enjoy my blooms so far.

Ricinus Communis Castor Bean

 

Ricinus Communis Castor Bean

I’m still observing to try to understand the mechanics of the bloom.  I have yet to see any bees on the blossoms.  I was expecting honey bees.

I read that Honey Bees like the Castor Oil Bean plant but I have seen only Bumble Bees in the area and no bees on the Castor Oil Bean.

Ricinus communis, castor bean, castor oil plant. Indigenous to Southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa and India.  Despite its name it is not a true bean, though it is the seed you plant to grow the plant.  Castor seed is the source of castor oil which was used as a lubricant in model aircraft engines, etc. back in the day.  The seed also contains ricin, a water soluble toxin, which is also present in lower concentrations throughout the plant.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricinus