for Cinders...Ricinus communis in my other garden 2008

Wow, thank you, it looks good doesn't it. A real statement plant.

yes they surely are. Had some in this garden last year and they grew very tall and stately but were killed off by frost in Sept. (I am north and west of my previous garden and at a higher altitude.) Autumn cold arrives about a month earlier here. As much as I love the plant I was constantly worried that Rufus would try to climb it (as he does just about every tree on the property) and get the sap on his claws and as a result of grooming himself...ingest the stuff! I had seeds to start some this year but decided to pass for that reason. There are plenty of other hazards. I don't need to add to them! :-(

I think that was a wise move really Lori, I think where children and animals are concerned it is not a good thing to have around. A friend of mine took one of my plants and it was doing well, but on learning about the dangers he has now binned it as he has young grandchildren, and doesn't want to take chances. It is very attractive though.

I remember as children, playing among the plants in the gardens...and coming out with welts. It was probably a reaction to the phytochemicals in some plants. getting the juice on your skin and being exposed to sunlight causes sores to develop. Now, when I do weeding, etc. I wear long sleeves and sometimes gloves because of nettles and wild parsnip. (nettles because of the spines and parsnip because of of phytochemicals in the sap. ) I'll never forget my first experience with the pain of grabbing a handful of nettles!