Castor Oil and Pomace Plant

Abstract

Castor oil and castor pomace are the products obtained by milling castor seeds (Ricinus communis). Castor seeds are borne in capsules. clustered on spikes. When ripe. the capsules pop and drop the seeds. Usually the spikes do not all mature at the same time. so that many harvestings are required as soon as the crop starts to mature. In harvesting. the spikes are cut by hand and. if necessary. allowed to dry further in the sun. The spikes are then threshed to separate the seeds from the capsules.