Castor bean
Ricinus communis
- Plant type
- shrub (large annual)
- Settings
- Landscaped and ornamental, Disturbed ground
- Risk
- High risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
Large plant with big palm-shaped lobed leaves; spiny pods, usually with 3 seeds that look like swollen ticks (Merck).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Remove (gloves) before move-in.
- Fence off.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Ricin
- Toxic parts
- Seeds highest; all parts
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. Cornell and Merck: seeds are highly toxic to all animals. Langston lists castor bean for goats.
Signs in goats
Bloody diarrhea, straining, weakness, trembling, staggering (Merck).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
No source data yet.
Sources
Links last checked: 2026-10-31