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ABRUS PRECATORIUS L. - ROSARY PEA.
Common nameRosary pea, crab's eye, jequerite, precatory bean, weesboontje, paternoster bean, deadly crab's eye, wild liquorice, ruti, jequirity bean, coral bean, prayerbead, Ma Liao Tou, Tento Muido, Indian liquorice, Gunja. Family Fabaceae / Leguminosae. Overview A small climbing tropical vine with alternately compound leaves, indigenous to Indonesia but also growing in Surinam. The flowers are small, pale, violet to pink and arranged in clusters. The fruit (a pod) is flat and truncate - shaped (1½ - 2" long). This seedpod curls back when it opens to reveal the seeds. The small, hard, brilliant red seeds with a black spot are very toxic due to the phytochemical abrin (consisting of 5 glyco-proteins); a single seed if broken, can cause blindness or even death if ingested. Abrin is a ribosome - inactivating protein (it blocks protein synthesis) and is one of the most deadly plant toxins known. Fortunately, the toxin is only released if the seeds are broken (and swallowed) but this is unlikely since they have a hard seed coat! In certain parts of India, the boiled seeds are eaten; cooking seems to destroys the poison. The small seeds are used in jewelry (necklaces) and have a uniform weight of 1/10th of a gram. Traditional medicinal applications Leaves, roots and seeds are used. The seeds are used as a contraceptive, to treat diabetes and chronic nephritis. The root is used to induce abortion against abdominal discomfort, gonorrhoea, jaundice and haemoglobinuric bile. Also traditionally used to treat tetanus and to prevent rabies. Hardiness USDA zone 9 - 11. Can be planted in the spring up to zone 7 as an annual. Propagation Seeds. These seeds germinate more consistantly if scarified; soak overnight in hot water or until they swell. Sow swollen seeds immediately in seeding mix. Don’t overwater or allow to dry out. Culture Full sun / partial shade, well - drained moist soil. Plant in frost free spots. |
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