Castor Bean, Caster Oil Plant, Mole Bean, Higuera Infernal 'Zanzi Palm'

This species has naturalized in 34 states. As far north as Maine, it can overwinter as a self-sowing annual.

Where it is h...Read Moreardy, it's a suckering perennial shrub that can reach a height of 40'.

It's a heavy producer of light air-borne pollen which is highly allergenic. It's a common trigger for hayfever and asthma. In many people, it also causes a skin rash on contact. The seed pods are spiny.

In California, Florida, and Texas, it's on the official lists of species invasive of natural habitat.

Native to the eastern Mediterranean, east Africa, and India, it's now spread to most tropical areas around the world, where it's commonly considered invasive.

This particular castor bean grew beyond our expectations. Typically, the larger the seed, the larger the plant, but in the case of the Za...Read Morenzi Palm (not to be confused with Zanzibar or Zanzibariensis) the seed to plant size does not ring true.

The seeds of the Zanzi palm were smaller than any other seed we've grown, and yet the plants were very large, growing trunks much like a tree. The first week of November brought frosts which turned the foliage to spinach, but the plants remain strong, determined to fight it out. Sadly, they won't endure much longer, and the cold will get the best of them.

Definitely a candidate for starting early in the greenhouse, as they require a very long growing season. We are only now seeing large clusters of seed atop the plants, which we will unfortunately not be able to harvest due to seed immaturity.

A fine plant, a grand impact, and to think it all started with six tiny little seeds. Next year we'll grow them out front to entertain passers-by.