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Name That Plant!

ID a plant - maybe a Castor Bean?

16 years ago

I was given sees for these plants, and was told they were "Mosquito Trees".

Then, I was told they were some tree that starts with an 'M'

Now - I'm wondering if they aren't Castor Bean - but they don't look just exactly like any castor bean I've seen.

And what zone am I in really? This site says 7, and local nurseries say 8 and 8a.

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Comments (5)

oldned
16 years ago
Yep...Castor Bean. Yours looks lke the Carmencita cultivar. Be aware that the seeds are poisonous/fatal if eaten.
jeff_al
16 years ago
i've heard of the seeds of ricinus referred to as mole beans. said to kill moles if you put them in their underground runs and they eat them. maybe that is your "m" tree?
the seeds resemble swollen ticks.

Here is a link that might be useful: ricinus communis sheet
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costaricafinca
16 years ago
The front one looks like Carmencita, but the back is the Purple species.
I love mine!!

{{gwi:354684}}
dlperry
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks all. It's settled then - Castor Bean it is :)

I love the pair I have - cannot wait to see them full-size.

Am I correct in my belief that it these guys are cold hardy here in zone 7, 8, 8a. (I'm in South East Dallas County, Texas.)
saltcedar
16 years ago
Am I correct in my belief that it these guys are cold hardy here in zone 7, 8, 8a. (I'm in South East Dallas County, Texas.)

Nope, they are deader than a door nail most years here in Austin.
HTH
Chris

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