TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Ricinus communis

Common Name
Castor bean, castor-oil plant

Family
Euphorbiaceae

Plant Description
Shrublike, annual herb with red-purplish stems; leaves large, alternate, simple, round in outline but deeply and palmately 6-11 lobed; flowers small and whitish; fruit a large, red, prickly capsule with slightly flattened seeds which are mottled brown-gray-white.

Origin
Asia and Africa.

Poisonous Part Broken seeds.

Symptoms
Immediate or delayed nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, depression, trembling, sweating, convulsions, coma; may be fatal. Severe allergic reaction in certain individuals following skin contact with broken seeds.

Toxic Principle
Ricin, a phytotoxalbumin, plus ricinine, an alkaloid.

Structure

ricin

Severity
Highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten. 
Skin irritation severe.  Causes only low toxicity if eaten