Ricinus communis L., Euphorbiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Reject, score: 8 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

Austral: tiarili

Chamorro: agaliya

English: castor bean, castor-oil plant

Fijian: belenivavalagi, mbele ni vavalagi, toto ni vavalagi, totonivavalagi, utouto

French: ricin

Hawaiian: ka‘apehā, kamakou, koli, lā‘au ‘aila, pa‘aila

Maori (Cook Islands): pākarāna, pākarāni, tuitui, tuitui papa‘ā, tuitui papa‘ā

Marquesan: pititu

Niuean: tuitui, tuitui fua ikiiki

Palauan: gelug, uluchula skoki

Samoan: lama pālagi, lama pālagi, lama papalagi, lama papalagi

Spanish: higuerilla

Tahitian: tiairi papa‘a, tiairi popa‘a

Tongan: lepo

Tuamotuan: tiairi

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "A coarse subshrub, erect, branching, glabrous, somewhat glaucous, the leaves alternate, palmately lobed, purplish when young, subpeltate, lobes usually 5 or 7, serrate, sharply acute; blades 20-60 cm long; petiole about the same length, a gland at apex; panicles terminal, or some axillary; flowers monoecious, apetalous, male clusters; female flowers with caducous, spathaceous calyx, ovary 3-celled, styles spreading, usually bifid; capsule ovoid, softly spiny, 1-1.5 cm long, purplish-brown, dehiscent; seeds oblong-ellipsoid, variously mottled with brown, black and gray" (Stone, 1970; p. 388).

Habitat/ecology:  This fast-growing tree can reach heights of 10 m. It forms somewhat ephemeral thickets which can shade out other species. It grows in dry and mesic habitats from sea level to 1,200 m (C. W. Smith, 1985; p. 201).  Seeds are toxic. 

In Fiji, "found at elevations from near sea level to 200 m or probably higher, cultivated in villages and gardens and also naturalized in thickets and waste places and along roadsides"  (A. C. Smith, 1981; pp. 499-500).  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized and sometimes common in low elevation, dry, disturbed habitats, 0-500 m"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 629). In Tonga, "occasional in waste areas" (Yuncker, 1959; p. 164). In New Caledonia, "assez commun aujourd'hui en fourrés secondaires" (MacKee, 1994; p. 54). Arid lowlands in the Galápagos Islands (McMullen, 1999; p. 141).

Propagation:  The seed pod explodes when ripe, scattering the seeds. Although rodents and granivorous birds may disperse some seeds, man is the principal agent. "Seed is spread by floodwaters, in mud adhering to boots, vehicles or machinery, and in garden waste and soil" (Smith, 2002; p. 36).

Native range:  Probably Africa, now introduced throughout the tropics.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 37)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced	Pickard, J. (1984) (p. 206)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 19) "A weed of waste ground". Vouchers cited: J. Pickard 2656 (NSW); 1920, J.L. Boorman (NSW)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 9) "Locally common as a weed of waste ground". Vouchers cited: W.R. Sykes NI 885 (CHR), W.R. Sykes NI 516 (CHR)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 31) Vouchers cited: Falanruw 2153 (US), Fosberg 31585 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Aguijan (Agiguan, Aguihan) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 31) Vouchers cited: Falanruw 1934 (US), Fosberg 31729 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Anatahan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Anatahan Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 31) Voucher cited: Falanruw 1886 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 81668) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Sarigan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Sarigan Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 31) Voucher cited: Evans 2341 (US, BISH)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Sarigan Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 81669) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 144169) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		McCormack, Gerald (2007)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 14)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 664487) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2007)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		McCormack, Gerald (2007)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 144156) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcan Sierra Negra	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Chuuk Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 697229) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Udot Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1948) (voucher ID: BISH 144167) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Taveuni Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 499-500) Voucher cited: DA 11518
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 499-500) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 643
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 499-500) Vouchers cited: DA 11358, DA 10269, Smith 9152, DA 5866
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 697228) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maiao (Maiaoiti, Mauiti, Tupuaemanu) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113) Voucher cited: C. Cartier 212
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113) Voucher cited: Moore 650
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113) Vouchers cited: Setchell & Parks 262, Florence 2441
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 558028) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 558029) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tupai (Tubai) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Hao (Hau) Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Makatea (Ma‘atea) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Makatea (Ma‘atea) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 492105) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Niau Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Toau (Tovau) Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 405424) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 553004) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rapa Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rapa Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1921) (voucher ID: BISH 144161) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rapa Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1921) (voucher ID: BISH 144162) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rapa Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 144163) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 405366) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 624084) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 405422) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 552796) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Tubuai (Tupuai) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 405448) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 388) Voucher cited: Stone 4181 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 144168) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1962) (voucher ID: BISH 144170) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaho‘olawe Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 629)
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced invasive	Toyoda, Takeshi (2003) (p. 287) Naturalized
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 145)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. (2004) (p. 10)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 145)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. (2004) (p. 10)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Ailinglaplap (Ailinglapalap) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Ailinglaplap (Ailinglapalap) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 144173) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Bikini (Pikinni) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. Raymond (1990) (p. 36)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak) Atoll	introduced cultivated	St. John, Harold (1960) (p. 330) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 24377, St. John 23701
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R. (1955) (p. 13) Voucher cited: Fosberg 24377 (US)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 144171) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 144172) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Jaluit (Jãlwõj) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. Raymond (1990) (p. 36)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 95)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced invasive	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (pp. 134-135) Vouchers cited: Scully 137N (US?), Thaman & Manner 145 (SUVA)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Tiga	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 54) Voucher cited: MacKee 45845
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	introduced invasive	Gargominy, Oliver/Bouchet, Philipe/Pascal, Michel/Jaffre, Tanguy/Tourneu, Jean-Christophe (1996) (p. 380) Assez commune en fourrés secondaires.
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 54) Vouchers cited: Baudouin 251 s.loc., MacKee 15519, MacKee 31734
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île des Pins (Isle of Pines)	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 54) Voucher cited: Baumann 13913
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	introduced invasive	Sykes, W. R. (1977) (p. 106)
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	introduced invasive	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 634)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 95) Voucher cited: CHR 169720
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 19)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 25)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 74) Voucher cited: Yuncker 9731 (BISH) "Frequent in thickets and waste areas".
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 10)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 16, 88)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 16, 90)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 81685) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)		Waterhouse, D. F. (1997) (p. 64)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (1997) (pp. 135-137)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	St. John, H. (1987) (p. 39) Voucher cited: St. John 15025
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1979) (voucher ID: BISH 439347) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1948) (voucher ID: BISH 402109) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 96)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced invasive	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 106)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 74)
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 164) "Occasional throughout Tonga".
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 62)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 164) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15618
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1987) (voucher ID: BISH 603541) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 56)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 25) Voucher cited: Ilolahia 153
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 164) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15110
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1969) (voucher ID: BISH 77869) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 697227) Taxon name on voucher: Ricinus communis L.
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 68)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 25) Voucher cited: Soakai 1027
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 164) Cited: Crosby.
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Burkill, I. H. (1900) (p. 54)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Johnston Atoll	Johnston Island	introduced invasive	Amerson, A. Binion, Jr./Shelton, Philip C. (1976) (p. 57)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1969) (p. 11) Persisting from cultivation.
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Vanuatu (Republic of)		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 96)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis and Futuna Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 19)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales	introduced invasive	Cronk, Q. C. B./Fuller, J. L. (2001) (p. 190)
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 36)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 36)
Chile (continental) Chile	Chile (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
China China	China (People's Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
Colombia Colombia	Colombia (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
Costa Rica Costa Rica	Costa Rica (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
Ecuador (Mainland) Ecuador	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
El Salvador El Salvador	El Salvador (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
Honduras Honduras	Honduras (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
Japan Japan	Japan (country)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
South Korea South Korea	South Korea (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced invasive	Weber, Ewald (2003) (p. 360)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive cultivated	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 634) "Waste places, coastal cliffs, or as a casual in gardens".
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 309)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 126)
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Cocos (Keeling) Islands	Cocos (Keeling) Islands	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1993) (p. 37)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced	Topp, J. M. W. (1988) (p. 14)

Comments:  Sporadic on Guam, a pest species in Hawai‘i. Quite prevalent in Samoa (Space & Flynn, 2002) and Tonga (Space & Flynn, 2001). A noxious weed in South Africa. A declared noxious weed in the Northern Territory, Australia (Smith, 2002; p. 36).

Control: 

Physical:  "Small populations can be controlled by hand-pulling.  Larger infestations can be controlled by repeated cultivation"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Chemical: Glyphosate or picloram + 2,4-D applied as a foliar spray. For larger plants, slash and paint the stumps with picloram + 2,4-D or triclopyr (Parsons and Cuthberson, 1992; pp. 431-433).  "Sensitive to 2,4-D and other hormone-type herbicides.  Triclopyr ester, 10% product in oil applied to basal bark, provided good control.  HAVO staff reported control with foliar application of triclopyr ester at 1% of product or with cut-stump application of triclopyr amine at 10% of product (Chris Zimmer, HAVO)  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Additional information:  Information from the book "Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide" (Motooka et al., 2003). (PDF format).
Fact sheet from the Department of Natural Resources, Queensland, Australia. (PDF format)
Information on this prohibited species from the Miami-Dade County [Florida] web site.
Information from the Purdue University NewCROP web site.
Additional photos from The Nature Conservancy.

Additional online information about Ricinus communis is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Ricinus communis may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

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