Castor Oil

According to some authorities, the Qur’ānic word yaqṭīn refers to the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis.

Commonly called the castor bean, castor oil can be extracted from the seeds of this plant.

Although possessing some valuable medicinal properties, it is noted in the Guinness World Records as the most poisonous plant in the world.

Painted from specimens found in Paloma Gardens, Whanganui, New Zealand. The artist also grew the plant from seed in New Zealand.

Grows at Kew in Edible Science: Kew’s Kitchen Garden.

Completed painting size: 54 x 73cm
Main picture pods x 2, flowers x 4, seed detail x 3, dissection female flower x 5, male flower x 20
Watercolour on paper