Ricinus communis

Species category

Agricultural

Common name

castorbean, agaliya, lama palagi, maskerekur, toto ni vavalagi, uluchula skoki

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

  • Length 8–11 mm 
  • Width 5–7 mm 
  • Thickness 4–5 mm 

Color

Brown and gray mottled

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

A well developed caruncleCaruncle:
An appendage or outgrowth of the outer integument of the seed, e.g. leafy spurge.
present; a rapheRaphe:
A seam or ridge found on seeds.
is sometimes not conspicuous.

Identification notes

Seeds of this species comes in a wide variety of sizes. Coloring can vary widely also. Sometimes the rapheRaphe:
A seam or ridge found on seeds.
is lost in the mottled seed coloration.

Comments

Seed of this species is considered noxious only as a contaminant. Check individual states for interpretations.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Texas

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Valid name

Ricinus communis L.

Synonyms

Croton spinosus L.

 Ricinus communis.  Mottled seeds with a well-developed caruncle. 
Ricinus communis. Mottled seeds with a well-developed caruncle.