Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Ricinus communis - Castor Oil plant

Castor oil plant
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of this exotic-looking shrub that is a native of Tropical Africa. But beware because the seed coat contains ricin that is highly poisonous with the potential to kill. I probably would not have noticed these plants had it not been for the flowers that look like tiny cauliflowers.

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