Ricinus communisCommon name: Castor Oil Plant

Meaning of name: Ricinus was the name used by Pliny for the Castor Oil Plant. The meaning of communis is not known.

Distribution: Found on disturbed areas throughout Western Australia.

Remarks: A shrub to 5 metres high. The female flowers are red, the male flowers are yellow. The seeds are poisonous. This plant is native to Asia and tropical Africa.

References: Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.
Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.