How to Harvest Seeds for a Castor Bean Plant
The castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) is an annual native plant from North Africa that has escaped cultivation and now grows wild throughout the world. Because the large, fast-growing plant has broad tropical-looking leaves and decorative red seed coverings, it is a desirable landscape plant. However, all parts of the plant are highly toxic and only a few seeds need to be ingested to kill an adult human and only one seed will kill a child. Therefore, caution must be taken when harvesting seeds in the fall to plant the following spring.
Find a castor bean plant in the fall that is healthy and is producing seed pods. The seed pods are covered with dark red or purple hairs and look like they should contain round seeds about a half-inch in diameter. Look for seed pods that are beginning to split--these have seeds ready to harvest.
- The castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) is an annual native plant from North Africa that has escaped cultivation and now grows wild throughout the world.
Wearing gloves is absolutely necessary for your safety throughout this task. Put on your gloves, and pull the splitting seed pods from the plant. Break the seed pods away from the seed and put the clean seed in a dry paper envelope. Collect as many seeds as possible from splitting pods. You may need to return to the castor bean plant several times over a few days to gather more seeds as the pods split open.
Store the paper envelope with seeds enclosed in a dry, cool (60-75 degrees F) place away from children or pets so they do not have access to the seeds. You do not need to refrigerate castor bean seeds.
- Wearing gloves is absolutely necessary for your safety throughout this task.
- Store the paper envelope with seeds enclosed in a dry, cool (60-75 degrees F) place away from children or pets so they do not have access to the seeds.
Castor Bean Plant Laws
The castor bean plant, or ricinus communis, is a favorite among many gardeners due to its colorful, tropical foliage and vigorous growth. According to Chapter 3, article 7 of the municipal code, it is illegal to knowingly plant the castor bean, to nurture any castor bean plant or to keep castor beans or seeds within the City. According to section 3-7.02, anyone engaged in verifiable scientific or research activities may qualify as an exception to the law. Additional provisions mandate that the area in which castor bean plants are grown be enclosed and/or inaccessible to prevent small children from entering. The violation of Hayward’s castor bean plant restriction will be considered dangerous to public health, hazardous to the City’s population and a public nuisance. This may result in forcible removal of the plant and possible fines.
Warning
Always wear gloves before and during the handling of a castor bean plant and its seeds.
Related Articles
References
- Cornell University: Castor Bean
- Floridata: Ricinus communis
- City of Hayward, California: Dangerous Plants
- North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Ricinus communis
- Union County College: Castor Bean Plant
- Congressional Research Service Report for Congress: Ricin: Technical Background and Potential Role in Terrorism
Warnings
- Always wear gloves before and during the handling of a castor bean plant and its seeds.
Writer Bio
Jay Golberg is a certified Texas nursery professional and professional project manager. He has 30 years of business and farming experience and holds bachelor's degrees in English writing from St. Edward's University and finance from Lamar University.
