Saturday, February 7, 2015

Castor Oil Plant

Ricinus communis
image from Wikipedia

Tall shrub to 3m high common in waste areas. The stems
are red tinged and the leaves are large and lobed, with
suppressed veins. The sap is white. Native to Africa. Often found along railway lines.
Flowers: Reddish green, flowers in summer.
Fruit/Seed: Green to black spiny fruit capsule occuring
in autumn. Seeds are speckled and bean-like.
Dispersal: Seed explosion from capsule, water.
Special Note: Seeds are highly toxic to humans and animals.

words and above image are from IWEG's bandicoot bush care newsletter