The castor bean, Ricinus communis, a member of the spurge (Euphorbianceae) family, grown both for its flowers and dramatic foliage, is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean, Eastern Africa and India, but the plant can be grown throughout the United States as an ornamental annual.

Where are castor beans grown?

Castor bean is native to tropical east Africa around Ethiopia, but has naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas around the world to become a weed in many places, including the southwestern U.S. Plants are typically found in moist, well-drained soils in disturbed areas, such as along river beds and roadsides, and ...

Are castor bean plants illegal?

There are no federal regulations restricting the possession of castor bean plants. According to a 2004 Congressional Research Service Report, castor bean plants and seeds are "openly sold" in the United States. There are, however, some states or cities (such as Hayward, Calif.) which have banned the castor bean plant.