From Seed to Seed:
Plant Science for K-8 Educators

Digging Deeper

Beware!

The seed of the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, contains the alkaloid ricin, a potent poison. Although castor plants are attractive ornamentals, it is important to refrain from planting them where people-especially children-might be tempted to taste the shiny seeds. A child chewing just one or two seeds can become extremely ill, and eight seeds is considered a lethal adult dose.

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