AmberNichole

These are the seed pods from some sort of tree. It is a tropical tree and most likely edible (since I snagged the seeds from ECHO nursery that specializes in edible plant/trees) It was growing next to a building and i thought the seed pods were interesting. The spikes are kinda rubbery and wont poke you. In this picture they are a little dried out. The seed is what is inside. Any ideas?

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George Webster

It looks like Caster Bean.

Any plant part that has milky sap is poisen.

They are supposed to repel mosquitoes and moles.

Caster Oil is pressed from the ripe seeds. In the US of A it is grown as an ornamental.


George

The Hollyberry Lady

Dreaminofthetropics

I concur definitely castor bean! If you soak them for 2 days in water (change if it gets muddy looking) they will come right up! I have some I planted a month ago that are about 6 inches now They are awesome and hardy here in FL and can get over 8ft! Just beware of the seeds and leaves as all are poisonous as others said! I try to make sure to pick pods just as they ripen so I don't worry about kids or pets eating them.

Kat

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Kat

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sunfish

Weed here in San Diego

George Webster

They are poisen when the sap is a white milk. when I was 12 a five year old cousin had her little dishes out and had picked several pods and was prepairing to serve dinner to friends.

I do not know if they would actually eaten them but we were glad we discovered them as they were sittng down. The pods got thrown out and all the pods were picked and pitched.

George

AmberNichole

Wow I guess I should keep those seed pods away from my 2yo.....he would eat them in a heartbeat....../sigh If only he would eat his dinner with the same enthusiasm as he would dirt, bugs and poisonous seeds......

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Rmplmnz

Description

This small statured tree comes from northeastern Africa and the Middle East. It is non-native to Florida and considered a category II invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council because it is abundant throughout Florida but has not yet displaced native plant communities. This fast-growing plant is found throughout tropical and subtropical climates on disturbed sites such as edges of roads, old fields, and rocky slopes. Castor bean grows best in full sun and can reach heights of up to 40 feet where frost is not present. In colder climates where temperatures drop below freezing, castor bean functions like an annual plant and only reaches heights of 15 feet. Leaves are simple and alternate and can grow very large; from 15 to 30 inches wide. The green to reddish leaves are palmate with 5 to 11 lobes per leaf and jagged margins or edges. In warmer climates, the semi-woody trunk can reach a foot in diameter, whereas in colder climates the plant remains herbaceous and exhibits slower growing habits. Flowers appear in summer and fall on tall spikes up to 18 inches long that grow out of the top of the stems. Male and female flowers appear on the same spike, with the yellow male flowers pollinating the red female flowers. The fruit is a ½- to 1-inch diameter, spiny capsule that turns from yellow to blue-green and then to brown as it matures. Each capsule houses three small, poisonous seeds that resemble dog ticks.

FOR 244/FR306: Ricinus communis, Castor Bean

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Lists

FLEPPC compiles invasive species lists that are revised every two years. Professional botanists and others perform exhaustive studies to determine invasive exotic plants that should be placed on the lists. Invasive exotic plants are termed Category I invasives when they are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused. Category II invasive exotics have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become Category I if ecological damage is demonstrated.


Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Lists