Wordless Wednesday - Name This Flower!

Funny, Karen! I think you scored the same as me. ;)

Richard, I wholeheartedly AGREE. :)

Michael, the purple flower is not part of it...it's simply a clingy neighbor! I'm hoping someone has the answer because I myself don't know. I want one in my backyard, too! :)

Leilani

P.S. I took this photo at a winery in Kenwood (Sonoma wine country), California.

Donna, I agree...I love how exotic it looks! :)

Leilani

It's really stumped me, Pat...but now it's time for me to "ask the experts" on my Gardening forum. I'll come back and post the info when I find out! :)

Leilani

Okay...I've got some good news and bad news, everyone.

GOOD: This is a Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis.)

BAD: It is poisonous to animals...so it's not a good plant to have in a four-legged household. Here's what I found on Wikipedia:

"According to the 2007 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, this plant is the most poisonous in the world."

"Castor seeds are very toxic. Poisoning occurs when animals ingest broken seeds or break the seed coat by chewing. Intact seeds may pass through the digestive tract without releasing the toxin. Toxicity varies among animal species: 4 seeds will kill a rabbit, 5 a sheep, 6 an ox or horse, 7 a pig, 11 a dog, but it takes 80 to kill a duck."

Leilani

Exotic-looking and beautiful, isn't it, Konnie? It's a Castor oil plant and I find it to be such an unfitting name...sounds like motor oil to me! :)

Leilani