Smith's Dictionary identifies a species Ricinus communis, but also uses the common name for the castor oil plant. Native of Asia, it is known in America now. It is prevalent in Africa and southern Europe also. A shorter variety grows in England, while India has a tree-sized species.
Castor oil comes from the seeds. It has been used as a medicine for many centuries.
Some are of the opinion that this was a cucumber-type plant.
Jonah 4:6 (KJV) And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
Jonah 4:7 (KJV) But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
Jonah 4:8 (KJV) And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
Jonah 4:9 (KJV) And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
Jonah 4:10 (KJV) Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
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