Most poisonous (common) plant
- Who
- Castor Bean
- Where
- United States
- When
- 18 January 2002
Based on the amount it takes to kill a human, the most poisonous common plant in the world is the castor bean (Ricinus communis). According to the Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals (1997) a dose of 70 micrograms (2 millionths of an ounce) is enough to kill a person weighing 72 kg (160 lb or 11 st 4 lb).
The plant's poison is called ricin and is actually a protein found in the seeds of the castor bean.
One gram of ricin is approximately 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide and 12,000 more poisonous than rattlesnake venom. Ricin is at its most deadly when ingested directly.
It causes the clumping and breakdown of red blood cells, internal bleeding and damages vital organs in the body. SIZE=2
One gram of ricin is approximately 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide and 12,000 more poisonous than rattlesnake venom. Ricin is at its most deadly when ingested directly.
It causes the clumping and breakdown of red blood cells, internal bleeding and damages vital organs in the body. SIZE=2