A castor seed is the seed of the castor oil plant a hardy plant native to tropical and subtropical regions. It contains a high percentage of oil, making it a valuable industrial raw material, and is also known to contain a toxic protein called ricin. The seeds are not for direct consumption due to the ricin, but the extracted oil has numerous applications in products like lubricants, cosmetics, and plastics. 

Extraction and uses: 
After harvesting, the seeds are processed to extract the oil. This oil is used in a wide range of industrial applications, including: 
Lubricants and coatings 
Cosmetics and personal care products 
Pharmaceuticals 
Dyes and plastics