Native range: Africa. Description: A tree-like shrub from 15 to 40 feet tall with green or dark reddish-purple alternate leaves to 18 inches wide or more. Leaves are deeply lobed with 8 or 9 toothed, triangular segments on long petioles. Terminal, elongated flower spikes consist of small, red and yellow flowers with the male flowers on the bottom of the spike and the female flowers on top. The 1-inch diameter fruit are burlike with pointed, soft spines. The fruit capsules may be green or red and contain three, hard, mottled seeds. The seeds are highly toxic but also yield castor oil, a purgative.
Ecological threat: Castor bean is commonly encountered as an invader in natural areas and also readily colonizes disturbed sites. It is very fast growing and thrives in poor soils. It forms large populations in a short period of time and outcompetes native vegetation. Castor bean is a significant public health threat since even a single seed can cause grave poisoning.
Distribution in Florida: Throughout the state.
Background: Castor bean is still sold through mailorder nurseries outside of Florida as a fast growing landscape plant, but is no longer propagated commercially in Florida. Some popular cultivars produce colorful leaves in tones of brilliant red, purple, and bronze.
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