Pretty poison

The rosary pea is a vining plant with pinkish flowers and two-inch seed pods.  Once the seed pod opens, up to eight shiny bright red seeds with black spots are visible.  This invasive plant not only infiltrates natural and residential areas, but also produces highly toxic, attractive seeds ready to infest new areas.  Once identified, this non-native plant can be controlled.

It is believed that the rosary pea originated in India and has now spread to many tropical and subtropical areas of the world including Florida.  The colorful seeds have been used for a number of reasons including jewelry and as a standard for measuring the weight of gold.  These seeds, although colorful and attractive, are highly toxic to people and animals and can be deadly.  The actual perennial woody vine will grow up into shrubs and trees where it often disappears in the foliage of the understory almost hiding in plain sight.  The pinnate leaves frame the clusters of pinkish flowers which are followed by flat two-inch pods.  When ripe, the pod flares open reveling the brilliantly-colored seeds.  Besides humans spreading the seeds, birds also move them about.  This plant has deep roots making it difficult to eliminate.

Rosary peas are found in central and southern Florida including Charlotte County.  Characterized by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) as a Category I Invasive, the rosary pea does invade natural areas and can displace native plants.  Prevention of this invasive plant is the best measure to keep rosary peas from establishing in residential properties.  Hand-pull rosary pea plants when spotted.  Chemical control with the careful use of herbicides can also be used.  The literature mentions that treatments applied in the fall are the most effective.  As with using any pesticide, read the label as it is the law. 

The bottom-line here is don’t plant the rosary pea, don’t use the seeds for any purpose, and eradicate this plant whenever it is found on your property.  For more information on all types of invasive plants in our area, please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area.  Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.

Resources:

Abrus precatorius (2015) UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.

Langeland, K.A. Cherry, H. M., McCormick, C. M.,& Burks,  K. C. (2008) Identification and Biology of Nonnative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas – Second Edition.  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS. 

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2015 List of Invasive (2015) http://www.fleppc.org/list/2015FLEPPCLIST-LARGEFORMAT-FINAL.pdf.

Abrus precatorius (2015) Wikipedia.