The use of castorbean oil (eranda) in India has been documented since 2000 BC in lamps and in local medicine as a laxative, purgative, and cathartic in Unani, Ayurvedic, siddha and other ethnomedical systems. · The Gibsoniicastor plant (Ricinus communis var. gibsonii) has been around since the dawn of time, cultivated for its castorbean oil. But even for gardeners who have no immediate use for castor oil fall for this fast growing beauty. The use of castorbean oil (eranda) in India has been documented since 2000 BC in lamps and in local medicine as a laxative, purgative, and cathartic in Unani, Ayurvedic, siddha and other ethnomedical systems. View all Introduced into English gardens in the 16th century. Stately quick-growing ornamental plant with tropical appearance, large reddish-tinge...Read More. Check out the largest plant identification database in the world. Read plant and insect reference guides at Daves Garden. Castorbean is an exotic addition to the garden. With oversized, tropical-looking leaves and bizarre seed pods, castorbean is an exotic addition to the ornamental garden. The only member of the genus, Ricinus communis is in the Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae). The CastorBean has large, palmately lobed leaves, spiking yellowish-greenish flowers, and spiny seed capsules. It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae or spurge family. This plant is native to tropical east Africa, but it has naturalized and weedy in many tropical and subtropical areas around the world including the United States. · Its history, economic significance, and cultural impact all contribute to the fascinating narrative of this intriguing plant. By learning about the castorbean’s role in the Trustees’ Garden, we gain a deeper appreciation for the intersection of botany, history, and human ingenuity. · By resequencing and analyzing 505 worldwide accessions, we reveal that the accessions from East Africa are the extant wild progenitors of castorbean, and the domestication occurs ~ 3200 years ago. Castorbean is an exotic addition to the garden. With oversized, tropical-looking leaves and bizarre seed pods, castorbean is an exotic addition to the ornamental garden. The only member of the genus, Ricinus communis is in the Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae). The CastorBean has large, palmately lobed leaves, spiking yellowish-greenish flowers, and spiny seed capsules. It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae or spurge family. This plant is native to tropical east Africa, but it has naturalized and weedy in many tropical and subtropical areas around the world including the United States. · Its history, economic significance, and cultural impact all contribute to the fascinating narrative of this intriguing plant. By learning about the castorbean’s role in the Trustees’ Garden, we gain a deeper appreciation for the intersection of botany, history, and human ingenuity. Introduced into English gardens in the 16th century. Stately quick-growing ornamental plant with tropical appearance, large reddish-tinge...Read More. Check out the largest plant identification database in the world. Read plant and insect reference guides at Daves Garden. · By resequencing and analyzing 505 worldwide accessions, we reveal that the accessions from East Africa are the extant wild progenitors of castorbean, and the domestication occurs ~ 3200 years ago.
