The common castor oil plant (Ricinus communis, the only species of the genus Ricinus) is a shrub of tropical origin from the Euphorbiaceae family. It comes in the form of a herbaceous or arborescent plant, annual or perennial depending on the climatic conditions of the region. Its height is 1 to 5 meters in France (up to 12-13 meters in its area of origin).
It is the source of castor oil, which has various applications, and ricin, a poison. It is frequently used for ornamental purposes.