by David The Good
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Are rosary peas poisonous? Yep. They’re Florida’s deadliest plant!
Today I take a look at the very toxic rosary pea in a new video.
We used to play with rosary peas when I was a kid. Beautiful things and very attractive for children. Thank God we never ate any!
I’m David The Good, gardening author, homesteading, survival gardener, nursery owner and plant geek. Let’s grow some food!
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8 responses to “Are Rosary Peas Poisonous?”
Nice! But you didn't leave enough space for a solo. I'll have to do the whole thing in 64th notes.
I would be surprised to hear you play anything less than 128th notes, honestly.
I have a couple Coral Ban plants I planted in my yard. I have heard the beans are poisonous but not as bad as the one you Are describing. Mine are Florida native.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/m/#publication?id=FP197
Oh yes. Coral beans are Erythrina herbacea. The flowers are beautiful.
A few years back I planted some in my front yard as nitrogen fixers. They keep coming back – I love 'em. Poisonous, but nothing like Abrus precatorius.
They have solid red beans, whereas the "Rosary pea" has smaller, glossier seeds with a large black spot at one end.
Neat! I have some jewelry from Peru with these beans as part of the jewelry, they're apparently considered good luck charms. Bring some to my seed swap at Earthskills? I'd like to see if they'll grow here.
Interesting plant.
Amazing the Abrin toxin is 75 more toxic than Ricin.
Maybe the toxin is not easily absorbed in the intestine (even when the seed coat is chewed)
This case is a man who attempted suicide by chewing 10 seeds he ordered over the internet.
But survived.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20563676
Wow. That's a wild case.
Rosary Pea is available in 3 colours, namely Safed Gunja, lal Gunja, black Gunja and even in yellow and green coloured beads. Only White Gunja beads are used in ayurveda. The roots of Gunja are extremely beneficial in improving eyesight and vision and preventing cataract. White Gunja plant is considered a luck charm. The parts of Gunja plant are used to cure diseases like Paralysis, Muscular Spasms, hair growth and prevents prematurely baldness. Gunja is also beneficial in treating serial diseases and is used as a contraceptive. The mystical side of Gunja is amazing and Gunja is very much used in Tantras and carries much importance. Note – Please tread carefully which Gunja as Gunja Seeds are Poisonous and must be kept away from children’s reach.