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Plant identification

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Plants

This isn't strictly a plant ID.  I was given this plant a few weeks ago specifically for our new BOG garden. I posted a picture of it on here, but no-one recognized it (not surprisingly) or the name of it which is Ricons.  Now it has grown an amazing amount in a few weeks - does anyone recognize it and perhaps know it with a different name?  It seems to thrive in full sun but likes a regular good soaking.imageimageThe leaves are about 10 inches across when fully open.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,269

    Castor oil plant - Ricinus looks similar
    or Rodgersia of some variety possibly

    Last edited: 19 June 2017 16:14:41

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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,157

    It's Ricinus communis, aka Castor Oil plant



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • pbffpbff Posts: 433

    It looks like Ricinus communis, the castor oil plant.

    It is not fully hardy in the British climate and is not suited to a bog garden.

    It is highly toxic, so beware when handling.

    See this article for some interesting information about the plant

    http://www.kew.org/blogs/archived-blogs/ants-constipation-murder-and-seeds-ricinus-communis

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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,157

    it has been grown in gardens in the UK for years without harm. It's a tree in its native land I think but pbff is right on 2 counts, tender and not a bog plant

    I'd be surprised if it's a rogersia, all those I've seen have the leaflets divided rather than whole like that but one point in favour is that it was given to you as a bog plant



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 13,704

    Nut is right.

    I grow it and yes it is toxic, the poison Ricin is made from it, but I have not had any problems in the 20 years I have grown it.

    It is a HHA in this country, I don't even think it would survive in Guernsey.

    It does like lots of water, but I doubt it will survive in a bog.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • pbffpbff Posts: 433

    Yes, I was thinking that whoever gave the plant must have mistaken it for a Rodgersia.

    I didn't mean to suggest that Ricinus shouldn't be grown because it is toxic - many of the plants we grow in our gardens are poisionous and if you're not sure, all plants should be treated as such - I merely mentioned it so that GuernseyDonkey is aware. The attached article isn't meant to scare anyone either, I just stumbled across it recently and thought it made for fascinating reading, especially about the co-evolution with ants.

    Last edited: 19 June 2017 16:55:02

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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,157

    no, it's not a scare-monger story, very interesting, what you'd expect from Kew



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713

    This has all made very interesting reading - and I was not aware that it was poisonous - although that wouldn't deter me from growing it.  As you can see, the plant is thriving in our bog garden so perhaps with the full sunshine on it too it may be happy in that position, but I will keep an eye on it. 

    Although in full sunshine and facing south - this bog garden area will get the full blast of our prevailing winds in the winter and the Ricinus may need to be potted up and placed in the greenhouse over the winter. Gardening is a learning curve and a very enjoyable one too.

    Thanks again.

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