From the LA weed management page
http://acwm.co.la.ca.us/scripts/wma_4.htmCastor Bean ( Ricinus communis)
Castor bean is originally from tropical Asia and Africa. It was grown as an agricultural crop for its oil, but it escaped from cultivation and began to spread into disturbed areas in the San Joaquin Valley and coastal regions of Southern California. The crop report from L.A, County from 1881 notes that 900 acres of castor bean plant yielded 1.2 million pounds of seed. Not only does it displace native plants by forming large colonies, but it is one of the first plants to germinate after a fire. Through rapid growth, it out competes native vegetation and creates new infestations where previously there had been only healthy native plants.
Castor bean seeds are extremely poisonous to humans, cattle, horses, rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, cats, dogs, and poultry. Two beans, if ingested, can be lethal in humans.
So is bush going to invade So. Cal next?