ANNUAL FLOWERING PLANTS 



77 



THE CASTOR BEAN 



The castor-oil plant (Ricinus), commonly called the 

 castor bean, grows very rapidly to a height of five or six 

 feet. It is often used as a screen and often also as the 



FIG. 47. A Screen for a Barnyard Fence 



Castor beans near the fence, with caladium and other low-growing plants 

 in the foreground 



principal plant in groups where a rich, luxuriant growth 

 is required. The variety of color in the foliage of differ- 

 ent sorts of castor beans is valuable in giving con- 

 trast. When they are grown in combination with the 

 canna, caladium, coleus, salvia, and aster, a pleasing 

 effect may be obtained. 



