In message , chris
writes
Sacha wrote in message
.uk...
On 9/9/04 13:34, in article , "Martin
Brown" wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 8/9/04 16:13, in article
m,

Could be Ricinus communis which sounds right for colour of some varieties.
Have a look at this and NB that it's very poisonous:
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/castorbean.html

Yes. It sounds exactly like the ornamental cultivar which has almost
metallic looking red bronze foliage. Popular as a bedding plant on the
continent and will grow OK in most of the UK.

There is an ordinary boring looking green form as well. It is usually
quite tender and expires due to fungal rot during most UK winters.

This plant came up in another thread a few weeks ago and there was some
doubt that it could still be sold and planted. I said I thought I'd seen
some at the roundabout in Totnes and I was right! It's beloved of municipal
plantsmen and these are absolutely flourishing.

YES!!!! This is the plant! How do I get rid of it safely?

Unless you have small children that might eat the seeds it is a very
handsome and striking plant for the borders. I grow it myself some
years. On the continent it is very common in municipal borders.

It will rot down pretty much like any other tropical plant once it has
been hit by the first frost. Remember to wash your hands after handling
it.

Either save the seeds or bin them. They are the things with the highest
risk of being eaten and also the most toxic part of the plant.

Regards,
--
Martin Brown