Ricinus caruncle promotes the dispersal of the seed by ants (myrmecochory). The name "Ricinus" is a Latin word for tick; the seed is so named because it has markings and a bump at the end that resemble certain ticks. The genus "Ricinus" also exists in zoology, and designates insects (not ticks) which are parasites of birds; this is possible because the names of animals and plants are governed by different nomenclature codes. The common name "castor oil" probably comes from its use as a replacement for castoreum, a perfume base made from the dried perineal glands of the beaver ("castor" in
Castor Bay the bay, running towards the south. A small bark and grass area with several large pohutukawa trees offering shelter compliments the beachfront and an extended coastline stretches out to the north towards Campbells Bay. Nearby John F. Kennedy Park contains old World War II bunkers that were used to survey the Hauraki Gulf and is accessible from Castor Bay by road (Beach Road) or by walkway (from the extended coastline to the north). The northern headland of Castor Bay is the site of an old Maori pā, Rahopara, that is believed to have been last inhabited and then abandoned in