Rosary Pea Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 2,050 found this helpful

Abrus precatorius

Broken or chewed Rosary Pea seeds carry the highest toxicity risk, even in very small quantities.

The plant is confirmed toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, and poses a severe fatal risk to human health.

Intact seeds may pass through the digestive tract without harm, but damaged seed coats release life-threatening toxins.

FAQ

Is Rosary Pea toxic to Humans?

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, elevated heart rate, fever, shock, potential death (Severe)

Is Rosary Pea toxic to Cats?

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, death (Severe)

Is Rosary Pea toxic to Dogs?

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, death (Severe)

Is Rosary Pea toxic to Horses?

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, death (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Severe

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, elevated heart rate, fever, shock, potential death

Cats

Severe

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, death

Dogs

Severe

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, death

Horses

Severe

Severe vomiting (sometimes bloody), watery/bloody diarrhea, tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, death

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsSeeds (highest toxicity when seed coat is broken), all above-ground plant parts contain trace toxic compounds

Exposure RoutePrimary: ingestion of chewed/broken seeds or plant material; secondary: inhalation of processed seed dust, skin contact with concentrated seed extracts

Toxic CompoundsAbrin (lectin / toxalbumin); Abric acid (glycoside)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove any remaining plant or seed fragments from the mouth of the exposed person/animal, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• Induce vomiting only if the exposed subject is fully conscious, not seizing, and ingestion occurred within the last 10 minutes.
• Do not feed, give water, or administer oral medications unless explicitly instructed by a medical professional or licensed veterinarian.

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of Rosary Pea plant material, especially chewed or broken seeds.
• Appearance of vomiting, bloody diarrhea, tremors, or elevated heart rate after potential exposure to the plant.
• If your pet or livestock has had unsupervised access to areas where Rosary Pea grows.

Prevention

• Keep Rosary Pea plants, decorative seed jewelry, and craft materials containing the seeds out of reach of children, pets, and livestock.
• Avoid planting Rosary Pea in yards, pastures, or public areas accessible to animals or young children.
• Educate household members and caregivers about the distinctive bright red-black seeds and their extreme toxicity.

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer activated charcoal to bind unabsorbed toxins remaining in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Provide IV fluid therapy to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances caused by severe vomiting and diarrhea.
• Deliver symptomatic supportive care to manage fever, tremors, cardiac abnormalities, and prevent progression to shock and organ failure.

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAbrus precatorius

AliasesJequirity Bean、Crab's Eye、John Crow Bead、Weather Plant

Toxicity Grade

HumansSevere

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractCardiovascular systemNervous systemLiverKidneys

Mechanism of Action

• Abrin inhibits cellular protein synthesis, leading to widespread cell death and tissue damage across organ systems.

• Abric acid irritates the gastrointestinal lining, contributing to severe vomiting, diarrhea, and fluid loss.

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Highly toxic, ingestion of broken seeds causes severe gastrointestinal distress, neurological damage, and death even in small doses.

Sheep and Goats: Moderate to severe toxicity, consumption of seed material may lead to fatal poisoning if not treated promptly.

Wild Birds: Generally resistant to toxicity from intact seeds that pass through the digestive tract unbroken, but chewed seeds may cause mild to moderate illness.

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

American Licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota

Both are Fabaceae family plants with similar pinnate compound leaves; key difference: American Licorice produces brown seed pods and lacks the distinctive bright red-black toxic pea-sized seeds of Rosary Pea.

Black-eyed Susan Vine Thunbergia alata

Its bright petals with dark central markings are often confused with Rosary Pea seed coloration; key difference: Black-eyed Susan Vine is an ornamental flowering vine that does not produce toxic red-black seeds.

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Related Toxic Plants

Golden Chain Tree

Laburnum anagyroides

Severe toxicity

Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

High toxicity

Lupine

Lupinus spp.

Moderate to severe toxicity (varies by species)

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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