PlantFiles: Rosary Pea, Crab's Eye, Precatory Bean, Jequeriti, olho-de-cabra,
Abrus precatorius

As a parent who's 6 year old brought back these deadly seeds from a neighbors front yard, I would insist that anyone thinking of planting this would think of the harm it could do. My daughter placed one of these bright and colorful seeds in her mouth. If she would have chewed it , she would be dead now. How can anyone consider planting them? Thank God she is okay, but we had a sleepless night worrying.

My biology professor said that it is THE MOST poisonous seed in the plant kingdom, #2 is Ricinus communis. I have to admit that there exists a morbid novelty in growing these things ornamentally.

This is a very common and dangerous trash weed in Florida. IT SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED every way possible. I have found it growing on school grounds and near public buildings if there is a nearby field.
MN4

Rosary Pea or Crab's Eye is extremely invasive in Florida in the U.S. from zone 8b in the central part of the state southward! It can climb as a vine over shrubs, smothering them and preventing germination and smothering young native plants such as tree seedlings and shrubs! Also, the bright-red berries are extremely poisonous to people and can result in death if eaten - if not, cause serious sickness! This noxious invasive vine is also found in Hawaii where it is also a serious pest! It is now on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's Pest Plant List Category One and is regarded as a noxious, very invasive and poisonous/harmful weed in Hawaii!

MORE FACTS - Very invasive in natural habitats in Florida, such as pine flatwoods, fields as well as disturbed areas such as along fences and human habitation. Very fast-growing. Has bright-red, small berries that are dangerous and VERY POISONOUS if ingested.

Invasive, unattractive, thorny, and poisonous.

It is difficult to remove this plant. Seeds fall all over the ground and sprout easily. Seeds end up in nearby areas due to rain and wind.

Someone sent me seeds of this plant, and I did some research before preparing to plant them. I decided not to sow these seeds after reading how poisonous the seeds are and how hazardous the plant is to animals and to people. Just one swallowed seed can be deadly. This is not a desirable plant for this reason.

This is an invasive weed of natural areas in central Florida, as well as a weed in my garden. It will climb to to the treetops in a single year (note, height can be over 40 feet), and it is perfectly hardy in zone 9. I find seedlings in my garden beds, and pull them out, as well as cutting or pulling all the more mature plants I find. And, I don't find it particularly attractive.

Post-hurricane update (Dec. 2005) - After hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 brought down mature trees, opening up the ground to more light, this weed has become even more common. The seedlings send down deep taproots very quickly, and I have been pulling hundreds of them from my small native sandhill woodland area before they get a chance to climb the trees again.

This is a beautiful plant but it is very invasive and almost impossible to get rid of once established. The roots spread under ground and come up everywhere and for long distances. It also has sharp stickers all up and down the stems. It grows wild in Homer, Louisiana.

Rosary peas are so poisonous that the sharpened seeds are used as murder weapons in India.

Has narrow, oblong feather looking leaves.With pinkish -purple flowers. The seeds are round, and shiny red with a black eye. Seeds chewed or when cracked are extremely poisonous.The seeds are used for beads, sometimes made into necklaces and rosaries.The seeds need to be nicked and soaked in HOT water to get to germinate.