We Have a ‘Where in the Conejo’ Contest Winner: Jeff Ross!
The December 1 “Where in the Conejo” photo was of a castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) in bloom. Castor bean is not native and has become a noxious weed in Southern California, although it has both commercial and landscape uses. 
Tolerant of drought, this fast-growing evergreen shrub in the euphorbia family thrives in disturbed areas, such as trail- and roadsides and streambeds. Its seeds are the source of the extremely lethal poison ricin, although the oil derived them doesn’t not contain it and has long been consumed as a folk remedy.
Of the correct entrants, Jeff was selected at random as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations, Jeff, and thanks to all who entered the contest!
Because castor bean is both invasive and poisonous, COSCA rangers remove it when it’s found. However, it does establish itself from time to time and has previously been spotted in the Wildwood area, so if you see in it in the open space, please let us know. Usually we provide you with a map to where you might see our featured plant or animal, but this time we’re giving you a route guide to a pretty trail that we hope is castor-bean-free that goes through the oak forest along the Hawk Canyon Trail in the Conejo Canyons Open Space area.
Download our newly revised map to the trail to take with you!
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