Caster oil plant
Garden origin, species from NE Africa to W Asia.
Fast growing annual (perennial shrub where native). Highly toxic with poisonous seeds, foliage may irritate skin allergies. Coarse textured, good for height in exotic gardens, city, courtyard, cottage or informal plantings.
HXS: 1.5-1.8mx1m
Foliage: alternate, very broadly ovate, deeply lobed and toothed, reddish purple or bronze red leaves, 15-45cms, 5-12 lobes.
Flowers: greenish yellow flowers to 2.5cm borne in spikes, female flowers above males at tips of spikes each with prominent red stigma.
Fruit: spherical reddish brown capsules, covered with soft brown spines.
Aspect: full sun.
Soil: MBWD-Well drained. Flowers develop at expense of leaves in poor soil.
