Ricinus communis
Castor bean plant
Ricinus communis, commonly known as the castor bean plant, is a versatile perennial shrub valued for its medicinal properties. While its seeds contain the potent toxin ricin, the extracted castor oil serves as a powerful therapeutic agent, widely utilized for its laxative, anti-inflammatory, and skin-healing benefits in traditional medicine.
- Scientific name: Ricinus communis
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it falls under the family Euphorbiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ricinus, specifically known as Ricinus communis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ricinus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Ricinus communis, is widely recognized by various names across different Chinese linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese, as used in mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and by general Simplified Chinese speakers (zh-hans), it is commonly called 蓖麻. Similarly, in Traditional Chinese contexts, such as in Hong Kong (zh-hk) and for general Traditional Chinese speakers (zh-hant), the plant is also referred to as 蓖麻.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 蓖麻 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 蓖麻 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 蓖麻 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 蓖麻 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 蓖麻 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 蓖麻 | Wikidata |
| eu | akain-belar | Wikidata |
| pl | rącznik pospolity | Wikidata |
| ta | ஆமணக்கு | Wikidata |
| oc | ricin | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution can be observed within Great Britain. Moving toward the center of the continent, it is found throughout Middle Europe, specifically in Germany. The distribution extends significantly into Southwestern Europe, where it thrives in France. Finally, the plant is also well-established in the Southwestern European territories of Portugal and Spain.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Ricinus communis, utilizes various anatomical structures for its biological functions and medicinal applications. The large, palmate leaves are highly distinctive, with each individual leaf providing a significant surface area for photosynthesis. The most potent part of the plant is contained within the seeds, which are known to produce castor oil; however, each single seed must be handled with extreme caution due to the presence of ricin. Below the surface, the extensive roots anchor the plant firmly in the soil and facilitate the absorption of water and essential nutrients necessary for its rapid growth.- Total parts
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 35
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| leaf | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| seeds | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oil | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ricinus communis has 64 reported phytochemicals identified across 78 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, ricinine, ricinoleic acid, tannins, Cd.
- Total chemicals
- 64
- Scientific sources
- 78
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ricinine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ricinoleic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| castor oil | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ricinus communis has 19 reported activities identified across 47 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 47
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Laxative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ricinus communis has 55 reported medicinal uses identified across 70 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include headache, constipation, rheumatism, backache, breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 55
- Scientific sources
- 70
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| headache | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| backache | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| contraception | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infertility | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| laxative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |