Can someone tell me what this plant is?
by
Stacey B
+3
My neighbor gave me some cool looking seeds about the size of a lima bean with spots. Several weeks later, we have these. Too heavy to stay upright, so they have started to topple over. They are flowering already. Did I plant weeds?
6 answers
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I believe this is a castor oil plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous. You might want to check this link http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/flower-seed/castor-beans/castor-bean-seeds-bright-red.html?gclid=CM7ExtuqnccCFZKRHwodUegK1g
Margita
on Aug 09, 2015
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Thank you! After looking at pictures of the seeds, you have to be correct!
Stacey B
on Aug 09, 2015
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Yes, I think they're good for keeping moles away or something? Pretty but poisonous.
Vicki McDonald
on Aug 09, 2015
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They are poisonous and they get quite large.
Mollee Kauzlarich
on Aug 10, 2015
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I am amazed at how fast it has grown. We do have a chipmunk problem more than a mole issue, so I wonder if it helps with that.
Stacey B
on Aug 10, 2015
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Yes, they are castor bean plants and my father used to grow them every year for me and my 4 younger siblings. We always marveled at how fast they grew and how tall they became. They were taller than our father and he was over 6 feet. As a child I always thought the seeds looked like the engorged ticks that folks removed from their dogs. It wasn't until later years that I learned "ricinius," part of the plant's name, is Latin for tick. I found that quite interesting. And, as you might surmise, castor oil is a product of the castor bean plant. They are unusual and are often planted as ornamental interest in home gardens and in park areas. The seeds can be toxic but only if chewed and ingested. In order for an adult to get a lethal dose, they would have to consume anywhere from 4 to 8 seeds. I suspect that this would be highly unlikely unless, of course, the adult isn't wise. However, they are useful for shoving down mole holes to deter moles. The seeds can be saved from year to year and planted for future plantings. I plant them each year and take great pleasure remembering how excited I was as a child when my father did the same,
Swan Road Designs
on Aug 10, 2015
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