Castor Bean Plant

Castor Bean Plant

aka castor oil plant, perennial flowering plant, Euphorbiaceae, Ricinus, ricininae.  Currently being studied. indigenous to Southwestern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa and India.  Widely grown as an ornamental plant.

Castor Bean Plant

I grew it as an ornamental plant when I was an obsessive gardener.

The seed capsules pictured in the first image, ripen into a pod containing three parts.

Castor Bean Plant Seed Pod (FOV 21.3mm)

At some point after the ripening/drying process has completed it pops open releasing three beans, though not true beans.  It is the seed you plant to grow the plant.

Castor Bean (FOV 21.3mm) 

Castor seed is the source of castor oil which was used as a lubricant in model aircraft engines back in the day.

The seed also contains ricin, a water soluble toxin, which is also present in lower concentrations throughout the plant.

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Magnetite

Magnetite

This is one form of magnetite, cubic.  It is my favorite of all my shots.  FOV, field of view, is 6.5mm.

Magnetite

The item with flaking red paint is from a child's toy and is the second strongest magnet I possess.    Not only is it attracted to a magnet but it can be magnetized.  Cubic magnetite is not as common as other forms of it.  Have a look at the more common tetrahedral version,     It is one of the oxides of iron, Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄ 

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Mountain Bluet

Mountain Bluet

It is also known as Centaurea montana, perennial cornflower, mountain cornflower, bachelor's button, montane knapweed, mountain bluet. 

It is endemic to Europe.  Readily escapes gardens.  Has become established in North America.

Thanks to Kingwood Center for the opportunity to capture these images.

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