833
Ricinus communis L.
Synonym
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Ricinus communis var. aegyptiaceus (Popova) Moshkin
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Family
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Euphorbiaceae
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Local name
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English - Castor oil plant,
Castorbean
Malayalam - Aavannakku
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Flowering and fruiting period
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May-June
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Distribution
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Native of Tropical
Africa; now cultivated throughout tropics
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Distribution in Kerala
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All Districts
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Habitat
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Cultivated, also runs
wild
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Endemic/Exotic
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Exotic
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Uses
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The leaf, root and seed oil are used in the treatment
of inflammation, liver disorders and hypoglycaemic conditions. It is also
used as a laxative.
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Key
Botanical Characters:
Monoecious, branched
glaucous shrubs. Leaves alternate, palmately 6-8-lobed, peltate; lobes lanceolate;
margin coarsely serrate, apex acuminate. Flowers
pale yellow in terminal paniculate racemes; male flowers below, female ones
above. Male flowers: perianth cupular, 3-5-lobed, lanceolate; stamens many,
filaments connate, repeatedly branched. Female flowers: tepals 5, subequal, lanceolate;
ovary globose, 3-locular, echinate; ovule 1-per locule; styles 3, papillose.
Capsule 3-lobed, prickly. Seeds oblong, smooth, marbled, carunculate.
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