Jonah 4:6 mentions a gourd vine. Botanists say the Hebrew word translated as "gourd vine" was really the word used for the castor bean. This plant grows to tree height in just a single growing season. No one is sure of where this plant originated. Archaeologists find castor beans in ancient Egyptian tombs. Hence we know the plant was known in Bible times. Be sure to prevent children from sampling castor beans. They are poisonous

Cultivation

This plant grows to 8 feet tall in one season from seed. It needs full sun and plenty of water to do well. Castor Beans make a good back row in a border. Any well-drained soil is suitable.

Bible References

Jonah 4:6: 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.

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