Native to Africa, the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), has been cultivated for nearly 4,000 years. The Egyptians grew it for lamp oil and Thomas Jefferson grew it to deter moles. It is now grown ...

Of the many plants in my garden, one that I particularly appreciate is the Castor Bean, because of its several interesting characteristics. This plant, known botanically as Ricinus communis, is a ...

Carmencita castor bean is attractive due to red foliage, stems, flowers and fruit, but it’s a plant to avoid. All parts of castor bean (Ricinus communis) and its varieties are extremely toxic. In ...

A: The castor bean, Ricinus communis, gets a really evil reputation as the source of the poison, ricin. Yes, it can be used in that way but it is also the source of castor oil, used in industry as a ...

Sweltering heat and bright sunlight do not a tropical garden make, even if many common garden plants, from marigolds to okra, do hail from the tropics. That tropical look comes from lush, bold foliage ...

Q: What can you tell me about the old-fashioned castor-bean plant? I believe my parents had them for shade for the chickens. Also, I planted several camellia seeds, but none sprouted. What's wrong? A: ...

The most poisonous plant on Earth, commonly known as castor bean, is growing along Roscoe Boulevard, between White Oak and Encino avenues, in Northridge. Did I say growing? In fact, several robust ...