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CASTOR
BEAN
(Ricinus communis)
castor oil plant,
Description:
Large annual (perennial in the south), 5-15 ft. Leaves, large,
palmate,5-11 lobes. Flowers in cluster, female above, male below.
Seed capsule with soft spines, splits into 3 parts. Seeds, smooth,
glossy, black or mottled with gray or brown. Found in temperate
zones, common in cultivation as an ornamental.
POISONOUS:
Whole plant, especially fleshy part of mature seeds, contains
irritant that poisons the blood. Oil is safe because poison remains
in seed, used as a purgative. Chewing the seed will cause burning
in the mouth, throat and stomach. Other symptoms are vomiting,
severe stomach pains, diarrhea, thirst, blurred vision, sweating,
trembling, weakness, convulsions. Eating 2-3 seeds can cause the
death of a child, no danger is hard seeds are swallowed whole.
There is no antidote!
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