The AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants notes that eating as
few as 2 to 6 seeds may be fatal. Castor bean seeds are the also the
source of castor oil, so the toxic ricin is apparently not oil soluble.
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David R. Hershey
Snail mail: 6700 Belcrest Road #112, Hyattsville, MD 20782-1340
Adjunct Professor, Biology/Horticulture Dept.
Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD 20772-2199
Email: dh321 at pgstumail.pg.cc.md.us
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