The castor plant is a perennial, branching shrub that can reach a height of 0.5 to several meters, depending on its location. In our region, due to the climatic conditions, it is mostly cultivated as an annual plant, reaching a height of up to 2 meters. It is usually cultivated on loamy and very fertile soils. It grows naturally in tropical Africa and southern Asia, but due to human influence it has spread to the Mediterranean region and beyond. The seeds of the castor bean contain significant amounts of castor oil as well as ricin, which is toxic.