Castor bean Ricinus Ricinus communis L FAMILY

Castor bean
Ricinus
Ricinus communis L
FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae

DESCRIPTION
Large, robust, annual (in the south) or perennial (in tropics and subtropics), woody herb, to 3 m tall. Leaves alternate, up to 40 cm long, simple, palmately 7 to 9 lobed, serrate with gland-tipped teeth. Flowers green, inconspicuous; staminate flowers near the base and pistillate flowers mostly near the top of a small panicle. Fruit a three-lobed capsule with a soft, spiny exterior, 1.5 to 2 cm long; seeds three per capsule, resembling a female tick, shiny, grayish-brown mottled with reddish-brown, 10 mm long and 6 to 7 mm wide.

DISTRIBUTION Castor bean is native to the tropics of Africa but is plated in gardens throughout the U.S. for its large, striking appearance. Found throughout our area and in the south where winters are mild; cultivated and occasionally escaping and persisting in pinelands, waste places and roadsides.

TOXICITY
Principle poisonous found in castor bean is a phytotoxin called ricin, also termed a toxalbumin. Ricin may comprise up to 3% of the seed weight. Another phytotoxin found in castor bean is ricinine, it is reported to be goitrogenic, but the significance of this compound is not clearly established. All parts of the plants re toxic, but the most toxic are the seeds. Horses are most susceptible to poisoning but all livestock. Seeds ingested at 0.2% of body weight have cased toxicosis in cattle and 0.01% of body weight was toxic to horses. Toxicity is seen most often in spring and summer.

TOXIC PARTS:
Seeds, and to a lesser extent foliage, are toxic; 1-3 seeds may be fatal to a child, 2-4, to an adult.

TOXIC PRINCIPLES:
The highly toxic glycoprotein ricin is responsible for poisoning. This phytotoxin, a composite of various amino acids, consists of a neutral alpha-chain capable of inhibiting protein synthesis and an acidic beta-chain, which functions as a carrier and moiety that binds the toxin to cell surface. Phytotoxins may act as antigens eliciting an antibody response.

TREATMENT:
Intestinal detoxificaton and intestinal protectants, administered by stomach tube are indicated. If dehydrated, large amounts of intravenous fluids assist in recovery. Ascorbic acid increases survival. Support respiration.