CASTOR-OIL PLANT, CAsron-BEAN, PAtm CHRISTI, PiCin US cum 10 lin is. A member of the order Enpliorbincea.. and a native of tropical Asia and Africa which has beeome natural i;:ed in most tropical and subtropical coun tries. and which is cultivated also in temperate climates. In the warmer climates it is a peren nial. and occurs as a small tree; but it does not endure frost, and becomes an annual in tem perate regions. It was known to the ancient Egyptians, as its seeds have been found in their tombs. and to the Romans, from whom we have the generic name llicia us. There are many dis tinct forms of the plant, some of which have been described as species, hut they are now gen erally all regarded as varieties of a single spe cies. These forms differ in stature, shape, and color of the leaves, and are very popular for ornamental planting. The leaves are large and broad, from one to two feet or even more in diam eter. and palmately cleft. The flowers are uni
sexual, and both male and female flowers are borne upon the same plant. The fruit is a spiny capsule containing one seed in each of its three divisions. The seeds are oval, from one-third to one-half inch long, and often beautifully varie gated. They are chiefly valued for the oil they yield, the common castor oil (q.v.), which is so generally used as a purgative, and which also serves for lighting and lubricating purposes. The plant is cultivated for this oil in the United States, mainly in Kansas, Illinois. and and in southern Europe, Asia, South America, the West Indies, and other tropical and warm temperate countries. The pomace which remains after the oil has been extracted from the seed is a valuable nitrogenous fertilizer. For illustration, see Plate Of CALAOASII, ETC.