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Abrus precatorius L.
Rosary Pea
Blackeyed Susan
Not native to Florida
This plant is an invasive exotic that is altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives.
This species should never be planted (many with this designation are prohibited by law), and generally should be removed whenever possible.
This old world vine can now be found throughout much of the Florida peninsula, including the keys. Also introduced in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Native to India and tropical Asia.
Abrus precatorius is a high-climbing vine with alternate compound leaves 5-13cm (2-5 in.) long. Leaves are petioled and even-pinnate with 5-15 pairs of leaflets that are oval to oblong and less than 2.5cm (1 in.) long. The small pea-like flowers may be white, pink or violet and are clustered in the leaf axils. The seed pod is 4-5cm (1-1/2 to 2 in.) long and curls back when it opens to reveal the distinctive shiny red seeds with black at one end.
This plant is highly toxic and fatal to humans if ingested.
Abrus precatorius is a member of the Fabaceae - Pea family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Sep 28, 2024
