Castor bean

Ricinus communis

Toxic

A tropical star-leaf with beautiful poisonous seeds — oil is a laxative, the mash is a biotoxin.

Handle as a poison-garden specimen. See Safety before any use.

Pressed castor oil is a different material from the seed. Ricin stays in the cake after the oil is expressed. A few chewed seeds have killed. This plate exists so the garden plant is not a science-fair extraction project. Admire the foliage; buy oil at a pharmacy if a clinician wants you to use it.

Flavor

Do not chew the seeds. Castor oil is oily, bland, and notoriously unpleasant as a purge.

Parts used

Pharmacy-pressed oil only, if a clinician directs. Never the raw seed.

In favor

Teaches the difference between a pressed oil and a seed toxin

Against

Ricin in the seed
Castor oil is a harsh purge
Attractive seeds look like ticks or beads