SHRUBS

Ricinus communis

Castor Oil Plant

DESCRIPTION

Large robust shrub to 3m tall with thick hollow stems. Alternate peltate leaves 10-70cm long by 15-60cm wide with 7-9 finger-like lobes, each lobe prominently veined. With finely toothed leaf margins; juvenile leaves may be dark red or purplish. Petioles 10-30cm long.

FLOWERS AND FRUIT

Large terminal clusters 8-15cm long of cream or yellow unisexual flowers on stalks to 10mm long; flowers throughout the year but mainly November to March. Rounded or egg-shaped three-lobed greenish to greenish-red fruit 10-30mm wide is covered in soft blunt spines. Each contains a single mottled grey and brown oval seed 10-17mm long by 6-10mm wide.

HABITAT AND RANGE

Riparian areas, roadsides, disturbed sites, and pastures in scattered localities across Australia.