Calflora Taxon Report
Ricinus communis L.
Castor bean, Castorbean
Ricinus communis is a shrub that is not native to California.
Cal-IPC rating: limited

Alternate Names and Sources:
None
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
redone or more occurrences
within a 7.5-minute quadrangle
The blue points on the map indicate observations in Calflora.
Click on the map to view observations within a specific county.


Accepted by: JEPS + PLANTS + POWO
Jepson eFlora section:
eudicot
USDA PLANTS group:
Dicot

Possible skin irritation from touching the young leaf or seed of this plant.
Do not eat the young leaf or seed of this plant.
Occurs usually in non wetlands, occasionally in wetlands
disturbed
weed, characteristic of disturbed places

[Wikipedia] Native Range, Invasiveness: Although Ricinus communis is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa, and India, today it is widespread throughout tropical regions.[5] In areas with a suitable climate, castor establishes itself easily where it can become an invasive plant and can often be found on wasteland. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Allergenicity and toxicity: Ricinus is extremely allergenic, and has an OPALS allergy scale rating of 10 out of 10. The plant is also a very strong trigger for asthma, and allergies to Ricinus are commonplace and severe.[20] The castor oil plant produces abundant amounts of very light pollen, which easily become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, triggering allergic reactions. The sap of the plant causes skin rashes. People who are allergic to the plant can also develop rashes from touching the leaves, flowers, or seeds. They can also have cross-allergic reactions to latex sap from the related Hevea brasiliensis plant. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

Suggested Citation
“Calflora - Taxon Report.” The Calflora Database, a non-profit organization. .

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