On 11/19/2007 1:01 PM, thread121 wrote:
Hi there

can anyone identify this plant for me..

Here is a photo:

[image:
http://aycu25.webshots.com/image/353...172448_rs.jpg]

it is growing rapidly and has just come into bloom with white flowers.

can anyone help me figure out what it is!?

Thanks

Rapid growth; white flowers; and large, palmately-divided leaves might
mean it's castor bean, Ricinus communis.

The castor bean plant can easily cause rashes from both the foliage and
the seed burrs. The attractive, nut-like seeds are very toxic. It's
illegal to plant this in some areas because it easily naturalizes and
becomes an invasive pest.

Note that the genus is named Ricinus. Ricin is a deadly meterial used
in biochemical warfare. The name is not a coincidence. Ricin is
extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/