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Castor Oil Plant
Botanical name: Ricinus communis
Noxious Weed Category: Class 4
Castor Oil Plant Management Plan
Special note: The seeds of this plant are the EXTREMELY TOXIC and may cause an allergic skin reaction on contact and may be LETHAL if swallowed.
Photos: Ku-ring-gai Council
Description
Native to Africa, Castor Oil Plant is a tall shrub to 3m high common in waste areas. The stems are red tinged and the leaves are large and lobed. Reddish green, flowering in summer. Reddish green spiny fruit capsule with toxic seed occurring in autumn.
Dispersal
Seed explosion from capsule, water.
Impact on bushland
A problem on the north and central coast. It invades high disturbed areas in or near hind-dunes, roadsides and bushland.
Control Requirements
Individual specimens and small infestations must be completely removed. For more details see the Castor Oil Plant Management Plan.
Control
Manual:
- This weed is both invasive to bushland and toxic. Due to the plant's invasive nature and the risk that it poses to human and animal health, the treatment to eradicate this weed must start immediately.
- Caution should be taken when attempting any control and removal of this weed.
- Wear protective clothing, gloves and eye protection before starting control work.
- Bag the seed heads.
- Handpull or use a mattock.
- Dig out single plants and dispose of either in the general waste bin or by taking to the tip.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.