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Castor
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Castor bean (Ricinus communis), a member of the spurge family, is a semitropical plant thought to be native to Africa. The seeds contain 35-55% oil, as well as hydroxyl fatty acids which are used to make high quality lubricants for heavy equipment and jet engines. The seeds, leaves, and stems (but not the oil) contain ricin and ricinine, chemicals that are highly toxic to humans and animals. Castor oil production has been discontinued in the U.S. due to the plant's toxicity and allergenicity. The U.S. annually imports about 41,000 metric tons of castor oil from Brazil and India at a cost of around $100 million.
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