(Click for larger version.) My wife Denyse, our poodle Pharaoh, and I were on a hike this morning when we came across these alien seed pods, possibly preparing for an invasion. No idea what’s going to hatch from them, but it will likely be slimy and hungry.
9 Replies to “Alien seed pods”
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Those are horse chestnuts (Aesculus). When you’re 9 years old they’re a lot of fun to throw at other kids.
Looks like castor bean seed pods. I have noticed them while driving around lately. These are source for Castor Oil and the poison, ricin.
More castor bean info here
Douglas
I’m way older than 9, and I still bet they’d be fun to throw at other kids.
I found a link to it, so I agree with the Castor Bean theory. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plmar99.htm has some info.
Since it’s a non-native species, and a pretty nasty one, you may want to contact the LA County Agricultural Commission, and let them know where you found it. They may not be aware it’s there.
Link for the LA County Agricultural Commission, btw: http://acwm.co.la.ca.us/scripts/wma_4.htm
It is non-native, but quite comon in the LA Area. I would guess you will find it in nearly every canyon and anywhere there is disturbed soil, from landslides, etc.
Jerusalem Artichoke, and invasive species.
OK, my fault.
Horse Chestnuts.
My fault for posting beer-y.
It definitely looks like castor bean. I am a botanist who works in the Santa Monica Mountains area.. this is one of the invasive weeds we track. I am guessing you may have been somewhere in the Hollywood Hills, it is common there, especially in Runyon Canyon. As someone mentioned earlier, it grows in disturbed areas such as roadslides or landslide areas. Although it is highly toxic, it is as not as big of a problem as some of the other weeds we have to deal with, such as star thistle or cape ivy.