This week’s challenge asks us to share an image with an obvious focal point. Even when half obscured, the pink and white flowers on my Castor Bean Plant (Ricinis communis gibsonii) are one arresting sight!
Ricinins communis flowers are monoecious, meaning separately sexed blossoms appear on one stem, with the female (pinkish red) in topmost position. Both male and female flowers lack petals. Depending on wind and weather, R. communis is either self or cross-pollinated.
The male/white flowers senesce (mature and die) shortly after shedding their pollen, but the female flowers further develop into ½ -1″ long capsules covered in soft spines. When fully mature, these capsules split open, revealing 3 smooth, attractively patterned ½” seeds. (When this happens, I’ll post a new pic!)
Without doubt, the Castor Bean plant is a focal point in my winter garden!
Until next time!!!
Merry Christmas!
14 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: One Focal Point”
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small house/BIG GARDEN 
Love your sand Santa, merry Christmas x
Now that is a special Santa… May your Christmas be special and the New Year all you want it to be… woof woof from the Bulldog…
Maybe we need to rename that tune to “Frosty The Sandman.” Although maybe even Frosty needs a warmer update. 😉
🙂 Merry Christmas, JM!
And to you, too, SHBG! 🙂
The Castor Bean plant looks festive! Loving your sandman.. 😀 A very Merry Christmas to you!!!
How curiously opposite are the two things that humans extract from this plant: castor oil, which is added to various foods, and ricin, which is a deadly poison.
So lovely photos. Although Charismas has gone already, my favorite photo is Frosty Sandman.
Without question, Christmas in a place without winter is pretty dang bizarre!
I think his is a very belated thanks you for the follow – and have a great holiday season & Happy New Year! Small house, big garden – makes sense to me! 🙂
How beautiful. The sand santa is so cute. 😀