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Species
Ricinus communis L.
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Throughout China [cultivated worldwide].
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200012604 |
Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
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Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Ricinus+communis |
I, II, III, IV, V, RM, VIII, Juan Fernandez, Isla de Pascua
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Pablo Gutierrez, IABIN |
Source | No source database. |
Leaf: Decoction as an external wash to regain health after a high fever. In French Guiana, the bruised leaves are applied onto women's breasts in order to slow the secretion of milk. Leaves used in a unstroke remedy. In Surinam, leaves are smeared with oil and applied onto painful places on the arm and leg by sufferers of filariasis. Tied onto head to relieve headache, and tied ontp ulcers to relieve pain and swelling; infusion for fever. Leaves are boiled, and the water drunk as a treatment for reducing pain or fevers, by the Guyana Patamona. Seed: Oil is a purgative, cathartic, and used to strengthen the hair; to facilitate expulsion of the placenta in childbirth; liniment for painful muscles and spots of filariasis. Cotton saturated with warm castor oil is effectively applied to the anus for piles. Oil is used for grippe, colic and "pictonuma" in Guyana. In French Guiana, the seed is eaten as a purgative, for which 2 or 3 seeds are sufficient. Oil mixed with egg yolks is used for abscesses; crushed and placed on the stomach of women in labor; laxative; oil used to relieve pain of constipation. Part unspecified: Used by the Surinam Saramaccan as an ingredient in a curative herbal bath.
Believed to be native of N.E. Tropical Africa; widely cultivated and occasionally naturalised throughout the tropics.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=200012604 |
Uses: Food oil, Lubricant/wax
Comments: The seeds produce castor oil.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Ricinus+communis |
Herbs erect, often single-stemmed but sometimes bushlike or treelike, 2-5(-10) m tall; younger parts glaucous, whole plant often reddish or purplish. Stipules connate, 2-3 cm; petiole 20-40 cm; leaf blade palmately 7-11-lobed, 30-50(-100) × 30-50(-100) cm, margin serrate. Inflorescence to 30 cm. Male flowers: pedicels 5-17 mm; calyx lobes 5-8 × 3-5 mm; stamens 7-8 mm. Female flowers: pedicels 5-10 mm; sepals ca. 5 mm; styles 2-5 mm. Fruiting pedicel to 45 mm; capsule ellipsoid or ovoid, 1.5-2.5 cm, echinate, spines to ca. 5 mm, sometimes smooth. Seed 7-12 mm, grayish, silvery, or beige with darker markings; caruncle depressed-conical, 2-3 mm wide. Fl. Jun-Sep, or Jan-Dec.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200012604 |
150-2400 m
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=200012604 |
French Guiana and Guyana: palma christi, palma-christi. French Guiana: grand ricin, ricin. FG Palikur: mau kamwi. Guyana: castor bean, castor oil plant, ricinus. Surinam: krapata. Surinam Hindu: reer. Surinam Javan: djarak. Surinam Saramaccan Bush Negro: amiomio. Surinam Sranan: castorolie-plant. Guyana Patamona: cat-ah-roik-yik.