This came up about 6 months ago and we let it grow just to see what it would become. It is now over 10 feet tall and has fruit. Does anyone know what it is and is the fruit edible?

Judging from the leaves I'd say it's a mamey. I don't recognize the berries but they may be immature. Mamey is edible.

Looks and sounds like castor bean, no eat but has medicinal uses as you know.

MIKE -- BINGO!

Castor Tree = Castor Oil
I googled it and it is very interesting. Here is a crop that is being raised around the world taking in a lot of money. Since it grows like a weed someone should start farming these. Castor oil is used for a lot of things. I'll donate the first beans.

There is a lot of it growing on North Ambergris.
Would be good too see some use.

Is this the same castor plant whose beans contain Ricin or is this a different species? There seems to be a difference between the one that produces one of the worlds most deadly naturally occuring poisons and the palma christi

btw I found this cool old Journal from 1854, search Belize and British Honduras to get to the sections talking about the palma christi

http://books.google.com/books?id=nVcmAQA...ize&f=false

Bear – Yes, I think it is. I did read a lot about it and how deadly it can be – but so are a jazillion other plants. For instance one article stated that every part of the plant can be processed and used to feed livestock. The bean its self contain 50 to 60% oil and is a valuable commodity. I just love learning new stuff like this. And what a great group of people we have helping us learn.

BTW – Diane – I got the bag of ‘exploding’ fruit tonight. Will see what I can do with them tomorrow.

Harriette, it took me a minute to realize you probably meant to say "bag" not "bad". Not bringing this up to be spelling police, but because reading about you getting the "bad of 'exploding' fruit", initially had me wondering if it one had splattered on you as it exploded.

SeaShell -My BAD! Thanks for catching that and I went back and corrected it.