Economic Botany Collection

Catalogue no.:

59905

Botanical classification:

LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE Abrus precatorius

Common name:

Jequirity beans, crab’s eye, rosary pea

Item description:

Necklace of seeds

Length:

112cm

No. of beads:

approx. 160

Bead size:

0.5-0.6cm

Plant information:

Perennial vine up to 3m, native to Australia, Africa and the subcontinent. When the seeds are cracked they are extremely poisonous. Abrus was mentioned by Prosper Alpinus, a physician and botanist from Padua, in 1592. It is also used in rosaries, as suggested by the Latin name ‘precatorius’ meaning to pray.

Donor:

Rosemary Angel was appointed officer in charge of Kew’s Museums in 1967.