Field ManualAll plants

Rosary Pea

Abrus precatorius

Invasive Vine in Florida
Contains Abrin

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

all parts; the seeds are the best-known hazard

Preparation

not applicable: not a food plant; do not eat any part

Hazard type

all parts poisonous; toxic principle abrin; poison severity High (NC State)

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is complete as far as our sources go. That is not a statement that the plant is safe.

Toxic to pets

Toxic principle: abrin (a lectin/toxalbumin) and abric acid (a glycoside). ASPCA-listed clinical signs: severe vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes bloody), tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, death. Critically, the hard seed coat must be broken (chewed, cracked, or drilled, as for jewelry-making) for the toxin inside to be released: an intact, swallowed-whole seed is markedly less dangerous than a chewed one, though still not something to treat as safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Grows outdoors in Florida and similarly warm, frost-free climates as an invasive vine, not as a planted ornamental.
Mature size: A climbing/twining vine that can scramble over shrubs, fences, and trees.
Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
Where it comes from: Native to Indonesia and other parts of Asia; introduced and now invasive in Florida and other warm parts of the southeastern US, as well as Hawaii.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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