CASTOR (Ricinus communis) (2n=20)

 

It is an oil seed crop. It belong to the family Euphorbiaceac. Its oil is mainly used as

lubricant, in industry or as a medicinal purpose. It requires warm climate

Origin: Africa

Distribution: African countries (Egypt), China, India, middle East etc. In India Andhra Pradesh,

Karnataka, Maharashtra

Classification: Monotypic, all varieties of castor from giant perennials to short internode dwarf

have the same chromosome number.

Zugovosky (1962) has described three species in the genus Ricinus

1. R. communis

2. R. macrocarpus

3. R. microcarpus

But this is not accepted by Botanists.

There are sub species which are considered to be ecological extreme varieties i.e. poly

morphic of cultivated type. They are

R. communis subsp persicus (Persian)

ssp. chinensis ( chinese species)

ssp. zanzi barensis ( Zanzibar)

ssp. sanguinens (Crimson species)

ssp. africanus (African)

ssp. mexicanus (Mexican)

Red castor varieties (Popova 1930)

Subsp gibsoni

subsp cambogenisis