Science · Plants, Natives & Crops
Castor Bean
Castor is grown for distinctive industrial oil used in lubricant and chemical applications. Seed and plant materials are toxic if ingested and require careful handling.
Ricinus communis · Industrial oilseed
Profile
- Crop guidance
- Warm-season; frost sensitive.
- Crop guidance
- Oil rich in ricinoleic acid.
- Crop guidance
- Good drainage is important.
- Crop guidance
- Industrial oilseed crop.
Water & soil context
- Moisture (VWC)
- Maintain moisture during establishment and active growth; avoid waterlogging.
- Salinity tolerance
- Not documented in cited pages.
- Drought tolerance
- Not quantified in cited pages.
Illustrative monitoring-depth band
6–12 in
Editorial placement example, not a validated optimum or total rooting depth. Confirm the site's root distribution and soil horizons; multiple depths may be needed.
Water needs vary by soil and climate; no universal root-zone target is stated.
Problems to watch
- Prevent livestock or human ingestion of seed and residues.
Stress signs
- Good drainage is important.
Where you'll find it
- industrial oil
- lubricants
- paints and coatings
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All Science profilesPublished botanical and soil references are distinct from GroundWorx product guidance. Moisture thresholds and monitoring depths require site calibration; sources do not establish product performance or diagnose stress.