1. Abrus precatorius (L.) Fabaceae
Rosary Pea
Abrus precatorius (L.) Fabaceae

2. Biology Other common names include: crab’s eyes Jequiriti
precatory pea
licorice vine
Climbing or trailing woody vine
Non-native, native to India

3. Biology Considered to be one of the most toxic plants in the world
Toxin is abrin
Found only in the seed
Released if chewed & swallowed
% of toxin per body weight ~ single seed in humans
Fatal to humans, pets and livestock

4. Background Economic uses Attractive ornamental vine in many landscapes
Seeds are used in many types of jewelry

5. Distribution
Found throughout much of the tropics, including Hawaii, Polynesia, Caribbean Islands
Scattered infestations in the southeastern US
Primarily in Central and South Florida
Over 27 counties, mainly coastal

6. Rosary Pea Distribution in Florida

7. Impacts Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)
Invades undisturbed pinelands and hammocks
Grows over small trees and shrubs
Displaces native plant communities

8. Mature Plant

9. Identification

10. Mature Plant Climbing, trailing woody vine
Slender, green branches and stems
Deeply rooted, often with trailing roots
Responds favorably to fire

11. Seedling Bean-shaped cotyledons
First true leaf trifoliate, then pinnately compound
No terminal leaflet

12. Leaves and Stems Climbing vine
Alternate compound leaves, 2 to 5 inches long
5 to 15 pairs of oblong leaflets

13. Flowers and Fruit Small pale violet to pink flowers
Clustered in leaf axils
Legume-shaped pod, oblong, flat
1½ - 2 inches long

14. Seed Seedpod splits at maturity, seeds remain attached
Seeds brilliant red/scarlet with a black spot
Birds unaffected by toxin, readily disperse seed

15. Management
Preventative
Cultural
Mechanical
Biological
Chemical

16. Preventative Restrict planting as a landscape plant
Regular monitoring and rouging of escaped plants
Avoid use of mulch possibly contaminated with rosary pea seeds
Target management efforts to prevent seed development and spread

17. Cultural Alternative landscape plants to replace rosary pea
Programs to educate homeowners
Problems associated with rosary pea
Proper plant identification
Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce rosary pea establishment and growth

18. Biological
There are no known biological control agents available for rosary pea management in Florida

19. Mechanical
Hand-pulling and removal of entire plants (small infestations)
removing top growth is not enough
critical to rouge out roots
Aggressive tillage is very effective
impractical in many areas
Repeated operations will be necessary to kill sprouting plants from roots

20. Chemical Application timing critical, apply in fall prior to seed set
Large woody vines, cut above ground stem and apply triclopyr immediately to the cut stem
Foliage Application
Triclopyr (3-5 % solution)
Glyphosate (1-3% solution)

22. Useful Links
Unites States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database:
Invasives and Exotic Species of North America:
University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants:
University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source:

23. Useful Links
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems:
Floridata:
The Hillsborough County Invasive Species Task Force: Identification and control of non-native invasive plants in the Tampa Bay Area:

24. Literature Cited
Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.