Is Ricinus communis illegal?
Growing the plant as an ornamental or a crop is not illegal, but extracting and concentrating ricin from it is, as you would in effect be making a potent biological weapon (obviously, I do not recommend that, either).
Where is Ricinus communis found?
Ricinus communis, commonly called castor bean, is probably native to tropical Africa. It is an erect, rapid-growing tender perennial that is grown in St. Louis as a warm weather annual. In certain parts of the U.S., including Missouri, it has escaped gardens and naturalized in fields, waste areas and along roadsides.
Which part of Ricinus communis is poisonous?
Ricin is one of the most poisonous naturally occuring substances known. The seeds from the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, are poisonous to people, animals and insects.
Where is castor bean native to?
tropical east Africa
Castor bean is native to tropical east Africa around Ethiopia, but has naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas around the world to become a weed in many places, including the southwestern U.S. Plants are typically found in moist, well-drained soils in disturbed areas, such as along river beds and roadsides, and …
Is castor oil toxic to pets?
Toxicity to pets Ricin is a glycoprotein that prevents protein synthesis; when ingested, clinical signs of inappetance, drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal straining, weakness, trembling, hypotension (drop in blood pressure), and sudden collapse may be seen.
How do Ricinus communis reproduce?
communis reproduces by seed. Plants become reproductive in the first season (within six months) and are capable of flowering year round in a frost-free environment.
How poisonous is Ricinus?
Castor beans contain ricin, one of the most toxic substances known. They may cause an acute and potentially fatal gastroenteritis. Delayed visceral damage is another serious complication; however, the latter is quite rare. The toxicity is dose related and depends on the amount of castor beans ingested.
Where can Ricinus communis be found in the world?
Although Ricinus communis is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa, and India, today it is widespread throughout tropical regions. In areas with a suitable climate, castor establishes itself easily where it can become an invasive plant and can often be found on wasteland.
How tall does a Ricinus communis tree grow?
An evergreen glabrous, soft-woody shrub or small tree, often grown as annual, 1-5 m tall, with a strong tap-root and prominent lateral roots. Shoots usually glaucous, variously green or red. Occasional glands at nodes, petioles and main axes of inflorescences.
How many species are there in the genus Ricinus?
The genus Ricinus L. is considered to be monotypic ( R. communis) and is included in the subfamily Acalyphoideae which included about 99 genera and 1865 species. Previously described species within the genus Ricinus have been transferred to other genera or grouped within R. communis.