I know pintos etc. but is there any legitimate use of castor beans? Do people grow and eat them or anything?
Maybe the guy has thinning hair or had constipation problems...
Castor oil is used widely as a standard for, hmmm, IIRC, melting point? viscosity? I daren’t look it up!
Castor oil is a very good engine lubricant; it has good film strength and withstands high temperatures. Castor oil was the preferred oil for early aircraft, and it’s still available for racing applications.
I don’t know much about the beans themselves, but I think they’re sometimes used to poison garden pests. I sure wouldn’t eat any.