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Abrus precatorius
open-in-new
<p><i>Abrus precatorius</i>, commonly known as jequirity bean or rosary pea, is a <a href="/facts/Herbaceous/u6myDhE2">herbaceous</a> <a href="/facts/Flowering_plant/E5eGYIvY">flowering plant</a> in the bean family <a href="/facts/Fabaceae/uxuHNdAr">Fabaceae</a>. It is a slender, perennial climber with long, <a href="/facts/Pinnation/1tm6hMyo">pinnate</a>-leafleted <a href="/facts/Leaf/1m6wCNTg">leaves</a> that twines around trees, shrubs, and hedges. </p><p>The plant is best known for its <a href="/facts/Seed/a4xGSLxJ">seeds</a>, which are used as <a href="/facts/Bead/lfI6rEzk">beads</a> and in percussion instruments, and which are <a href="/facts/Toxic/qa96rs60">toxic</a> because of the presence of <a href="/facts/Abrin/QzstP0w9">abrin</a>. Ingestion of a single seed, well chewed, can be fatal to both adults and children. The plant is native to Asia and Australia. It has a tendency to become <a href="/facts/Weed/Dog4Ifol">weedy</a> and invasive where it has been introduced. </p>