Ricinus communis (Castor-Oil Plant — Arind) Family Euphorbiaceae

The family consists of about 283 genera and 7300 species such as Ricinus communis. members of the family are distributed worldwide except in arctic regions. In Pakistan, the family is represented by several genera like Euphorbia, Croton (Jamalghota), Jatropha, Emblica (amla), etc.

Ricinus communis (Castor-Oil Plant — Arind)

Ricinus communis is an annual or perennial shrub. The seeds are source of castor-oil used variously in manufacture of transparent soap, typewriter ink, perfume aromatics, varnishes and paints. The seed cake is used as fertilizer.

Root

Tap root

Stem

Erect, herbaceous above and woody below, branched

Leaf

Petiolate, Simple, Alternate, Palmately lobed (7 – 9 lobes usually), Venation: reticulate multicostate, Leaf margin: serrate.

Inflorescence

Flowers arranged in terminal raceme. Both male and female flowers present in the same inflorescence. Female flowers are present near the apex and male near the base.

Flower

Ebracteate, Pedicellate, Incomplete, Actinomorphic, Unisexual, Hypogynous.

Male Flower (Staminate Flower)

Calyx

4 or 5 sepals, Polysepalous, Sepals membranous, Green, Inferior

Corolla

Absent

Androecium

5 stamens, each stamen profusely branched, Anther cells borne on ultimate branchlets, Anthers: basifixed.

Floral Formula

Female Flower (Pistillate Flower)

Calyx

3 to few or more, Polysepalous, Inferior

Corolla

Absent

Gynoecium

Tricarpellary, Syncarpous, Ovary: superior, trilocular, covered with spiny outgrowths and each locule contains a single large ovule, Placentation: axile, Styles: 3 and separate, Stigma; three each being bifid.

Floral Formulae

Male Flower:  P_(3-5), A_5-3, G₀

Female Flower: P_(3-5), A₀, G_{(_3)}

Euphorbia helioscopia (Chatri dodak)

It is a common annual weed.

Habit:

A glabrous erect annual herb or weed common in the field and gardens during winter.

Root

Tap root

Stem

Herbaceous, erect, unbranched below but copiously branched above in cymose manner.

Leaf

Alternate on main stem, In whorls of 5s, 3s or 2s above, Petiolate (stalks short), Ovate, Venation: reticulate unicostate.

Inflorescence

Cyathium the male and female flowers are reduced. The flowers are borne in a Cup-shaped involucre formed by bracts.

Male Flower (Staminate Flower)

Bracteate, Naked (without perianth), Unisexual: represented by a pedicellate stamen, Anthers globose.

Female Flower (Carpellate Flower)

Naked (without perianth), Unisexual: represented by a pedicellate 3-celled ovary present in the center of the involucre, Styles: three and free, Stigma: bifid.

Floral Formulae

Male Flower: P_O, A₁, G₀

Female Flower: P_O, A₀, G_{(_3)}

Economics Importance

Manihot utflissima yield starchy foods from its tuberous roots.

Wood oil, artists oil, and other drying oils, some of which are even better for pants than the linseed oil, are extracted from the seed of several species.

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis and used as a lubricant and purgative. Groton oil from the seeds of Croton tiglium is also a purgative of extraordinary efficiency.

The milky juice of many plants such as Manihot, Mercurialis, Euphorbias is a virulent poison.

A considerable number of deadly poisons are produced from the exotic members of this family. Of these, some are expecially injurious through the stomach, others through wounds or when applied to the skin, and others are blinding to the eyes.

Fruits of Phyllanthus emblica are edible and medicine.