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Project Noah Nature School
Ricinus communis
Seeds are source of both castor oil and ricin, a toxin. Four to eight seeds may be enough for a lethal adult dose. Symptoms include: "nausea, diarrhea, tachycardia, hypotension and seizures persisting for up to a week." Extracts from leaves and pericarp have been shown to have medicinal affects, such as antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties.
UC Riverside campus
Invasive species in some areas of the United States, including California.
Spotted on Dec 7, 2012
Submitted on Feb 20, 2013
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