unknown plant - Ask Extension
Hi
I tried to download the pictures of my question but am receiving an error message so hopefully the description I give u will help. My question is ...
Knowledgebase
unknown plant #156298
Asked October 09, 2013, 12:10 AM EDT
Hi
I tried to download the pictures of my question but am receiving an error message so hopefully the description I give u will help. My question is about a plant like tree that I seen in someone's yard. The leaves are green and look like the kind u would find on a vine but they are huge at least five inches across and have 7-9 points. The blooms look like they are fuzzy and coming from the stem. It looks like a plant but the main stem is at least an inch thick and it is around 4 1/2 to 5 ft tall. Any info would be greatly appreciated as I would like to know what it is and where I could buy one at. i do have pictures and can send them just give me the email address to send them to.
Burleigh County North Dakota
Expert Response
My guess is Castor Bean Plant See if this is it.
http://www.library.illinois.edu/vex/toxic/castor/castor.htm
http://www.library.illinois.edu/vex/toxic/castor/castor.htm
You are correct - that is exactly what it is. I am not sure if you can answer this or not, but I have a couple more questions. Even if you do not know the answers if you know where I can find the info that would be great.
1. From the link you provided me, it says the seeds are highly toxic, can I assume if a squirrel, rabbit or birds ate any of the seeds they would die? I really don't want to kill anything much less see them dead in my yard. Also, is it just the seeds or does that include the plant and blossems?
2. Do you know if you can buy it as a plant that is already growing or do you have to buy the seeds.
3. Last one - I read that it is native to Africa and likes mild winters. I also read that it does not do well in areas with frost. Do you know if the winters they are referring to are zones 1 and 2? North Dakota is in zone 3 and if it likes mild winters and no frost, I don't see how this person can grow this plant. I mean it is huge and looks like it has been there more then a year.
Again, I am not sure if you can answer any of my questions, but any suggestions on where to look or who to ask would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much for your help and by the way, I downloaded the pictures I took of the plant.
Thanks again - Tracy
1. From the link you provided me, it says the seeds are highly toxic, can I assume if a squirrel, rabbit or birds ate any of the seeds they would die? I really don't want to kill anything much less see them dead in my yard. Also, is it just the seeds or does that include the plant and blossems?
2. Do you know if you can buy it as a plant that is already growing or do you have to buy the seeds.
3. Last one - I read that it is native to Africa and likes mild winters. I also read that it does not do well in areas with frost. Do you know if the winters they are referring to are zones 1 and 2? North Dakota is in zone 3 and if it likes mild winters and no frost, I don't see how this person can grow this plant. I mean it is huge and looks like it has been there more then a year.
Again, I am not sure if you can answer any of my questions, but any suggestions on where to look or who to ask would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much for your help and by the way, I downloaded the pictures I took of the plant.
Thanks again - Tracy
Great!
Poison Seeds - greatest concern if for children, I have not heard of issues with wildlife yet if they ate them it could be an issue. Here is a link to a good site about the poison issues. One suggestion on the site is to remove flowers and enjoy the foliage.
They are grown in the north as an annual and will not overwinter. The one you saw is likely only from this year and is grown as an ornamental.
Typically established from seed.
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/php/plants.php?action=indiv&byname=common&keynum=73
Poison Seeds - greatest concern if for children, I have not heard of issues with wildlife yet if they ate them it could be an issue. Here is a link to a good site about the poison issues. One suggestion on the site is to remove flowers and enjoy the foliage.
They are grown in the north as an annual and will not overwinter. The one you saw is likely only from this year and is grown as an ornamental.
Typically established from seed.
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/php/plants.php?action=indiv&byname=common&keynum=73
Agent in Lincoln, NB successfully answered? Why was this sent to me?
I'm sorry - I am not sure why. I know my computer shutdown for updates, when I was asking more questions.
If that is the reason, or I replied wrong, I didn't mean to. The gentleman from Nebraska gave me enough info to start finding more info.
Sorry again:)
Tracy
If that is the reason, or I replied wrong, I didn't mean to. The gentleman from Nebraska gave me enough info to start finding more info.
Sorry again:)
Tracy
