Ricinus communis 'Impala' (Castor oil plant 'Impala')

Botanical name

Ricinus communis 'Impala'

Other names

Castor oil plant 'Impala', Castor bean 'Impala'

Genus

Ricinus Ricinus

Variety or Cultivar

'Impala' _ 'Impala' is a compact, well-branched, evergreen shrub, usually grown as an annual, with lobed, reddish-purple leaves, and clusters of creamy-yellow flowers in summer followed by round, maroon capsules covered in soft spines in autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Branching, Compact, Erect

Toxicity

All parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, are extremely poisonous if ingested. Contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation.

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Colour

Flower

Yellow, Cream in Summer

Foliage

Red, Purple in Spring; Purple, Red in Summer; Red, Purple in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse red spider mite

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly. May need restrictive pruning if grown under glass.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ricinus communis 'Impala' (Castor oil plant 'Impala') will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 1 year.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Beds and borders, Greenhouse, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Outdoors, grown in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Use stakes if planted in exposed sites. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely in the growing season and sparingly in winter.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ricinus communis 'Impala' (Castor oil plant 'Impala')

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Ricinus communis 'Impala' (Castor oil plant 'Impala')

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ricinus communis 'Impala' (Castor oil plant 'Impala')

Common pest name

False codling moth

Scientific pest name

Thaumatotibia leucotreta

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous pest; detected mainly on citrus and peppers. EU regulation under consideration following recurrent interceptions.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/