Ricinus communis, commonly known as the castor bean plant, is a unique perennial species in the spurge family. It produces castor oil from its seeds, rich in triglycerides but also containing the potent toxin ricin. This versatile plant exhibits diverse growth habits and leaf colors due to selective breeding. Its unisexual, petal-less flowers appear in green or red panicles, and its spiny capsules protect large, poisonous seeds dispersed by ants via a warty appendage called the caruncle.