53. Rosary Pea , Precatory beans, crabs eye, jequirity bean

Abrus precatorius

legume or pea family

TOXICITY RATING: High. Even one bean can kill.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: All animals may be affected, although the primary risk is to pets.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF THE PLANT: The beans are the primary risk.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Severe gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, collapse, death.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: Twisting perennial vine, grows naturally in tropical climates. Rosary pea is established in certain areas of southern Florida. The leaves are alternate and compound, with 8 to 15 leaflets. The flowers are small, and can be any shade of white to red to purple. The seed pod is about 1 and 1/2 inches long, containing several seeds, bright red with a black spot.

SIGNS: The toxic signs resulting from rosary pea ingestion are very similar to those of castorbean, except rosary pea contains a more powerful toxin. It is reported that one seed if well-chewed can kill an adult human. The toxins are a protein called abrin and a glycoside called abric acid, which cause severe gastrointestinal signs: vomiting (if the species can vomit), diarrhea (which may be bloody) and abdominal pain. This progresses to weakness, shock and death within a short period of time.

The plant does not grow in Indiana, but sometimes seeds are imported to make jewelry and rosaries. If the seed is swallowed without damage to the seed coat, poisoning is unlikely, and the seed will tend to pass without incident. In cases where the seed coat is chewed or opened (as in drilling to make jewelry), toxic signs and death are likely.

FIRST AID: If rosary pea was ingested, contact a veterinarian immediately. Prevent further exposure and get other animals away from the source. Emergency measures may be used to eliminate the toxin from the stomach and intestines. Once gastrointestinal signs appear, it may be inadvisable to try to evacuate the stomach and intestines for fear of doing even greater damage, but a veterinarian will decide this. Beyond this, care is symptomatic and supportive of the digestive upset, weakness, and shock. Affected animals are likely to die even with care.

SAFETY IN FEEDS: The seed is toxic in feeds, and is never safe at any level of feeding. Discard all feeds if contaminated with rosary pea.

PREVENTION: Rosary pea should never be allowed around the home or pasture for the safety of animals and humans alike. If jewelry or rosaries are made of rosary pea, discard them immediately.