Pollinator plant

castor bean

Ricinus communis

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Common names

118 names · 76 languages
EnglishYour language
+12 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (75)
Dutch
  • Christuspalm
  • Wonderboom[2][4]
French
Afrikaans
  • bloubottelboom[4]
  • bosluisie[4]
  • bosluisies[4]
+4 more namesShow fewer names
  • kasterolie[4]
  • Kasterolieboom[4]
  • oliepitboom[4]
  • wonderboom[4]
Arabic
Basque
  • Akain-belar[4]
Bulgarian
  • Рицин[4]
Cajun French
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Chontal
Croatian
Czech
  • skočec obecný[4]
Danish
  • Amerikansk olieplante[4]
Estonian
Finnish
  • risiini[4]
  • Risiini (kasvi)[4]
German
Greek
  • Ρετσινολαδιά[4]
Gujarati
  • દિવેલી[4]
Haitian
Hausa
Hawaiian
Hebrew
  • קיקיון מצוי[4]
Hindi
  • अरंडी[4]
Huasteco
Hungarian
Indonesian
Irish
  • Planda ola ricne[4]
Italian
Japanese
Kalanga
Kazakh
  • Үпілмәлік[4]
Korean
Latvian
  • Rīcinaugs[4]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis ricinmedis[4]
Maya Peninsular
  • Éek lu'um, k'ooch, ya'ax k'ooch[4]
Mayo
  • Québe'enogua[4]
Mbukushu
Mixe
  • Tsajtüma'ant[4]
Mixteco
  • Nduchidxaha[4]
Nahuatl
  • Apitzalpatli[4]
Ndebele
Ndonga
Norwegian
  • lakseroljeplante[4]
Occitan
Otomi
Palauan
Pashto
  • ارهنډه[4]
Polish
  • Rącznik pospolity[4]
Portuguese
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Russian
  • Клещевина[4]
Santali
Sekgatla
Selete
Setawana
Shona
Sinhala
  • එඬරු[4]
Slovak
  • ricín obyčajný[4]
Slovenian
  • kloščevec[4]
Sotho Northern
South Sotho
  • mohlafotha[4]
Spanish
+4 more namesShow fewer names
Swahili
Swedish
Thai
  • ละหุ่ง[4]
Totonaco
  • Cashtilenque[4]
Tsonga
  • nhlampfura[4]
Tswana
Turkish
  • Hint yağı bitkisi[4]
Ukrainian
  • Рицина звичайна[4]
Venda
Xhosa
Zapoteco
  • Guechi beyo[4]
Zoque
  • Cashilandacui[4]
Zulu
  • Umcakuva[4]
  • Umhlakuva[4]
  • Umuthi wamagobongo[4]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Ricinus communis — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Castor Bean — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Ricinus communis.
  • African Wonder Tree — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor Bean Plant — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor Oil Plant — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor-oil Plant — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Ricinus communis.
  • Mole Bean Plant — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Ricinus communis.
[2] Ricinus communis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • castor bean — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Rizinus — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Wunderbaum — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor Oil — results[0].names[72]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor oil plant — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor Oil Tree — results[0].names[85]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor-Oil Bush — results[0].names[88]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor-Oil Plant — results[0].names[73]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor-Oil Tree — results[0].names[89]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castorbean — results[0].names[86]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castorbeantree — results[0].names[87]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castrobean — results[0].names[74]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • maple weed — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Wonder Tree — results[0].names[90]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Higuereta — results[0].names[107]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • higuerilla — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Higuerilla roja — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Palmacristi — results[0].names[104]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Planta de castor — results[0].names[105]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricino — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • carapate — results[0].names[99]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricin commun — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricino — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Wonderboom — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Carrapateira — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Mamona — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Mamona-carrapateira — results[0].names[111]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Rícino — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Ricinus communis ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Castor Bean (EN); Tartago (ES) — VernacularName.tsv, line 162689; taxon 4T27V.
  • Rizinus — VernacularName.tsv, line 162690; taxon 4T27V.
  • Wunderbaum (DE); Castor oil plant — VernacularName.tsv, line 162691; taxon 4T27V.
[4] Ricinus communis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • castor bean — results[11].names[1]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Rizinus — results[11].names[54]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Wunderbaum — results[11].names[19]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor Oil — results[11].names[72]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor oil plant — results[11].names[2]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor Oil Tree — results[11].names[85]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor-Oil Bush — results[11].names[88]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor-Oil Plant — results[11].names[73]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castor-Oil Tree — results[11].names[89]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castorbean — results[11].names[86]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castorbeantree — results[11].names[87]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Castrobean — results[11].names[74]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • maple weed — results[11].names[12]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Wonder Tree — results[11].names[90]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Higuereta — results[11].names[107]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • higuerilla — results[11].names[43]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Higuerilla roja — results[11].names[46]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Palmacristi — results[11].names[104]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Planta de castor — results[11].names[105]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricino — results[11].names[60]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • carapate — results[11].names[99]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricin commun — results[11].names[17]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricino — results[11].names[13]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Wonderboom — results[11].names[29]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Carrapateira — results[11].names[32]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Mamona — results[11].names[18]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Mamona-carrapateira — results[11].names[111]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Rícino — results[11].names[11]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Apitzalpatli — results[11].names[3]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Cashilandacui — results[11].names[4]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Jarak — results[11].names[5]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • 蓖麻 — results[11].names[6]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Guechi beyo — results[11].names[7]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ndosna — results[11].names[8]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Éek lu'um, k'ooch, ya'ax k'ooch — results[11].names[9]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • קיקיון מצוי — results[11].names[10]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Pai-ue — results[11].names[14]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • kaʻapeha — results[11].names[15]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Thiquelá — results[11].names[16]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Рицин — results[11].names[20]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricin — results[11].names[21]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • ارهنډه — results[11].names[22]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Maskreti — results[11].names[23]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Planda ola ricne — results[11].names[24]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • દિવેલી — results[11].names[25]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Zirman — results[11].names[26]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Hint yağı bitkisi — results[11].names[27]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • skočec obecný — results[11].names[28]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • 피마자 — results[11].names[30]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Клещевина — results[11].names[31]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Akain-belar — results[11].names[33]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Riitsinus — results[11].names[34]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Risiini (kasvi) — results[11].names[35]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • अरंडी — results[11].names[36]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Rīcinaugs — results[11].names[37]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Үпілмәлік — results[11].names[38]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • lakseroljeplante — results[11].names[39]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • 蓖麻 — results[11].names[40]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • risiini — results[11].names[41]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Paprastasis ricinmedis — results[11].names[42]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • トウゴマ — results[11].names[44]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • ヒマ — results[11].names[45]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ρετσινολαδιά — results[11].names[48]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Rącznik pospolity — results[11].names[49]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricinus — results[11].names[50]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Skočac — results[11].names[51]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • එඬරු — results[11].names[53]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Kasterolieboom — results[11].names[55]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Mono — results[11].names[56]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • olumono — results[11].names[57]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • ricin — results[11].names[58]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Amerikansk olieplante — results[11].names[59]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • moono — results[11].names[61]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mokhure — results[11].names[62]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mokure — results[11].names[63]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mokhura — results[11].names[64]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mmono — results[11].names[65]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • ละหุ่ง — results[11].names[66]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Cheluch — results[11].names[67]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Uluchulaskoki — results[11].names[68]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • kloščevec — results[11].names[69]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • bloubottelboom — results[11].names[70]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • kasterolie — results[11].names[71]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • umhlakuva — results[11].names[75]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • خروع — results[11].names[76]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • ᱡᱟᱲᱟ — results[11].names[77]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Jada — results[11].names[78]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mbariki — results[11].names[79]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Umhlakuva — results[11].names[80]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • bosluisie — results[11].names[81]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • bosluisies — results[11].names[82]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • oliepitboom — results[11].names[83]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • wonderboom — results[11].names[84]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • umfude — results[11].names[91]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mufuta — results[11].names[92]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mokhura — results[11].names[93]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • nhlampfura — results[11].names[94]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • muplure — results[11].names[95]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Umcakuva — results[11].names[96]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Umuthi wamagobongo — results[11].names[97]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • ricinus — results[11].names[98]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Cashtilenque — results[11].names[100]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Nduchidxaha — results[11].names[101]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Tsajtüma'ant — results[11].names[102]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Québe'enogua — results[11].names[103]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • 唐胡麻 — results[11].names[106]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Palma — results[11].names[108]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Ricí — results[11].names[109]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • ricín obyčajný — results[11].names[110]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • Рицина звичайна — results[11].names[112]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mfute — results[11].names[113]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • muono — results[11].names[114]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
  • mohlafotha — results[11].names[115]; taxon id 56739; Ricinus communis.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Ricinus communis is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Euphorbiaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
1.83–3.05 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–1.22 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Dense; Erect; Multi-stemmed

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual; Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
NE. Trop. Africa.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Plant profile

About this plant

castor bean (Ricinus communis) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from July to August.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Ricinus communis — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1147815; ID 4T27V; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1147815; ID 4T27V; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Ricinus communis — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering season
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Ricinus communis — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1093385; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 233042, 233043, 233045

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.