Abrus precatorius - A climber with poisonous seeds and edible leaves

The seeds of Abrus precatorius (family Fabaceae), commonly known as Jequirity or Crab's Eye in English, Gunj (Marathi), Rati (Sanskrit) and Chanoti  (Gujarati), are colourful and poisonous. It is a medium size evergreen climber which is native to India.

The colourful, poisonous seeds of Gunj!

The medium -sized Gunj climber!
(Image credit : Forest & Kimm Star)

In ancient times these seeds were used as a standard weight to weigh gold. In some countries, the seeds are used to make jewelry by the indigenous peoples. Though the seeds are poisonous, the leaves of this plant are edible, often being added to Betel leaf  ‘Vida’, or chewing paan. The leaves taste sweet. 

Edible & sweet!

The common variety has seeds which are mainly red with a prominent black spot, and, there is a variety with completely white seeds also. 

The white-seeded variety