Castorbean
Ricinus communis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus:
- Ricinus
- Species:
- Ricinus communis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub , Tree
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-yellow, red, yellow
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Navassa Island, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Palau, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Ailanthus silkmoth (Samia cynthia), banana moth (Opogona aurisquamosa), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), Castor semi-looper (Achaea janata), Certima dositheata, corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Cosmet moth (Pyroderces rileyi), Ello Sphinx (Erinnyis ello), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia), Honeydew moth (Cryptoblabes gnidiella), Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), Lebeau's silk moth (Rothschildia lebeau), Omiodes Leafroller (Omiodes simialis), Pyroderces badia, Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Walker’s Atlas Moth (Samia walkeri), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to tropical and subtropical regions