African Plant Database


Ricinus communis L.
Family : EUPHORBIACEAE
Protologue : Sp. Pl. 2: 1007 (1753)  
Information on the genus : Ricinus
 
 
Status
Status for MA : accepted (naturalised)
Status for NA : accepted (naturalised-introduced)
Status for SA : accepted (present)
Status for TA : accepted (present)
 
Synonym(s) Homotypic
 Ricinus communis L. var. communis
 
Synonym(s) Heterotypic
=Ricinus africanus Mill. (1768)
=Ricinus communis var. africanus (Mill.) Müll. Arg. (1866)
=Ricinus megalospermus Delile
=Ricinus communis var. megalospermus (Delile) Müll. Arg.
=Ricinus lividus Jacq. (1781)
=Ricinus communis var. lividus (Jacq.) Müll. Arg. (1866)
 
Taxon infra-specific
Ricinus communis L. var. communis
 
Ecology and distribution
Trop. Afr.
Biology : Varying from ephemeral less than 1 m tall to tree-like herb 5-7(-10) m, with trunk 10-15 cm Ø; stems hollow.
Ecology : In Somalia and Ethiopia common along seasonally dry rivers; also a widespread ruderal, often in urban areas; 0-2500 m alt.
  As many as 100 infraspecific taxa have been recognized but they are too illdefined. - Three varieties are recognized in Fl. Zambes. 9/4: 157-159, 1996.
  Fossil evidence has shown this species to be native in NE Africa; now cultivated and escaped throughout the tropics and warm temperate regions.
  The plant contains a very dangerous toxin. Not mapped. ( SAPIUM ) - For synonyms, see Enum. 4: 616, 1997.

Bibliography for Tropical Africa :
  • Peyre de Fabrègues B. & J. P. Lebrun (1976). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Niger. Maison Alfort
  • Boudet G. & J.P. Lebrun (1986). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Mali. Etudes et Synthèses IEMVT 16
  • Cat. Pl. Vasc. Burkina Faso:209 (2012)
  • Darbyshire, I. Kordofami, M. & al. (2015). The plants of Sudan and South Sudan, An annoted checklist. Kew Publishing
  • César J. & C. Chatelain (2019). Flore illustrée du Tchad. Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève, Coopération Suisse & Univ. N'Djaména

Bibliography for North Africa :
  • PAMPANINI, R. (1931). Prodromo della Flora Cirenaica.  
  • Cat. Pl. Maroc 2: 460 (1932).  
  • METRO, A & C. SAUVAGE (1955). Flore des végétaux ligneux de la Mamora. La Nature au Maroc.
  • Fl. Algérie [Quézel & Santa] 2: 596 (1963).
  • Fl. Eur. 2: 213 (1968).
  • Fl. Tunisie [Pottier-Alapetite] 1: 467 (1979).
  • OZENDA, P. (1983). Flore et végétation du Sahara. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris.
  • Med-Checklist 3: 224 (1986).
  • VALDES, B., S. TALAVERA & E. FERNANDEZ-GALIANO (ed.) (1987). Flora Vascular de Andalucía Occidental, vol. 2 Ketres 2: 238 
  • BARRY J. P. & J. C. CELLES (1991). Flore de Mauritanie. Institut supérieur scientifique de Nouakchott - Université de Nice.
  • Fl. Egypt (Boulos) 2: 44 (2000).
  • FENNANE, M. & M. IBN TATTOU (2005). Flore vasculaire du Maroc. Inventaire et chorologie [1]. Trav. Inst. Sci. Univ. Mohammed V, Sér. Bot. 37: 182
  • FENNANE, M., M. IBN TATTOU, A. OUYAHYA & J. EL OUALIDI (éd.) (2007). Flore Pratique du Maroc [vol.2] Trav. Inst. Sci. Univ. Mohammed V, Sér. Bot. 2: 213
  • List Fungi, Fl. Fau. Madeira Selv. Arch. : 195 (2008).
  • BOULOS, L. & E. LE FLOC'H (2008). Flore de Tunisie : catalogue synonymique commenté

Bibliography other :
  • SAHKI, A. & R.SAHKI (2004). Le Hoggar, promenade botanique
 
More info on :
see under Jstor_African Plant Initiative
see under The Euro-Mediterranean Plant Base
see under Flore d'Afrique Centrale
see under Fgui
see under Namibia photo from Kyffhauser
see under Catalogue de Madagascar
see under African Plants - a Photo Guide
see under Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden
see under Herbarium, North Africa MPU
 
Map
More information >> ( work in progress )
 
  • Ricinus communis L.

    Ricinus communis L.

    Ricinus communis L.; -; num.coll.: ; photo: Dobignard, A.

  • Ricinus communis L.

    Ricinus communis L.

    Ricinus communis L.; -; num.coll.: ; photo: Dobignard, A.
Record n°143294 modified 2007-04-17
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