Scientific Name
Ricinus communis
Common Name
Castor bean, castor-oil plant

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION SEVERE!

Characteristics

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Description
Shrublike, annual herb with red-purplish stems; leaves large, alternate, simple, round in outline but deeply and palmately 6-11 lobed; flowers small and whitish; fruit a large, red, prickly capsule with slightly flattened seeds which are mottled brown-gray-white.
Origin
Asia and Africa.
Where Found
Landscape as cultivated, annual herbaceous ornamental.
Mode
Ingestion and allergic reaction after skin contact with seeds.
Poisonous Part
Broken seeds.
Symptoms
Immediate or delayed nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, depression, trembling, sweating, convulsions, coma; may be fatal. Severe allergic reaction in certain individuals following skin contact with broken seeds.
Toxic Principle
Ricin, a phytotoxalbumin, plus ricinine, an alkaloid.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION SEVERE!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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