Description:

• Ricinus or castor oil tree is a perennial herb that is occasionally seen in garden as ornamental plant and locally known as "Al-kharwoa الخروع"
• Leaves and seeds especially the broken or crushed ones are extremely toxic due to the presence of the known toxic protein “ricin”. If the intact seed is ingested it may pass through gastrointestinal tract without harm.

Signs of toxicity include:

• Gastroenteritis depression.
• Fever, seizures and cardiac symptoms.