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Things

Castor Beans

What is castor beans?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Ricinus communis[1]
Family Euphorbiaceae[1]
Plant type Perennial flowering plant[1]
Common name Castor oil plant[1]
Toxin Ricin[2]
Product Castor oil[2]

Castor beans are the seeds of the castor-oil plant, *Ricinus communis*, and are used to make castor oil. They contain the toxin ricin, which is released when the seeds are chewed or crushed.

Context

Castor beans are the seeds of the castor-oil plant, *Ricinus communis*. They are used to make castor oil. The seeds contain the toxin ricin. Ricin is released when the seeds are chewed or crushed. The name "castor bean" is also used for the plant itself. Botanically, the seed is not a true bean. [2]

Documented claims

  • Castor beans are the seeds of the castor-oil plant, Ricinus communis, and are used to make castor oil. [2]
  • The seeds contain the toxin ricin, which is released when they are chewed or crushed. [3]
  • The term 'castor bean' is also used for the plant itself, not just the seed. [2]

Related

  • Le Petit CastorEn artikel om en figur som heter Le Petit Castor kan vara relevant för läsare som vill veta mer om namnet.

Questions and answers

What does castor bean do to your body?

Eating or chewing castor beans releases ricin, a toxin that can be harmful. [3]

Can you touch castor beans?

Touching castor beans is generally not dangerous, but the toxin ricin is released if the seeds are crushed or chewed. [3]

What is the castor bean used for?

Castor beans are used to produce castor oil. [2]

Do all castor beans contain ricin?

Yes, all castor beans contain ricin, but the toxin is only released when the seed is chewed or crushed. [3]

Sources

  1. Castor Bean, Ricinus communis - Wisconsin Horticulture — hort.extension.wisc.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Castor bean — blogs.cornell.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Ricinus communis Profile — cal-ipc.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things