Abrus precatorius
Gidgee Gidgee
©Anne: Flowers and leaves of Abrus precatorius at Lizard Island
Kingdom
Plantae
Division
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fabales
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Abrus
Species
Abrus precatorius
Colours
Distinguishing features
This slender climbing plant is usually noticed due to its shiny, bright red seeds each with a large black spot at the end. The seeds are extremely poisonous if chewed and swallowed (see below). The leaves are pinnate with up to 15 pairs of leaflets. Pale lavender pea-flowers form in clusters and develop into brown pods that contain the seeds.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Local abundance
- Lizard Island: Common in woodland areas
Web resources
Danger
- usually fatal - Seeds are extremely poisonous if chewed and eaten. However, the seed coat is very hard and a seed swallowed whole would probably pass through the body without harm. Don't try it!
References
- Cribb, A.B. and J.W. Cribb (1985). Plant life of the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent shores University of Queensland Press, St Lucia.
- De Sloover, J.R. and M. Dufre^ne (1999). Flora and vegetation of Turtell V, Turtell Islands Group (Queensland, Australia), Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg./ Bull. Nat. Plantentuin Belg., 67: 45-97. LIRS catalog number 577.
- De Sloover, J.R. and A.-L. Jacquemart (2008). Nymph Island (Great Barrier Reef, Qld., Australia): Flora and vegetation of a low wooded island, Scripta Botanica Belgica, 43: 1-88. LIRS catalog number 1210.
- View all references