Bird's eye, Indian liquorice
Abrus precatorius

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 26 Abrus species. The seeds are very poisonous. The roots, leaves and seeds have been used medicinally. It can become an invasive plant. The roots and leaves contain glycrrhizine that is in liquorice.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It will grow on most soils but often occurs in sandy positions. It suits areas with a high rainfall and does best in sunny positions. It is damaged by drought and frost. They are widely distributed in areas of shrub throughout the Philippines. In Papua New Guinea it grows near mangroves. In Papua New Guinea they grow up to 660 m altitude. It Africa it grows up to 1,350 m above sea level. It needs a temperature above 16°C. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, Chuuk, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, FSM, Ghana, Grenada, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marianas, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Sahel, Samoa, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Southern Africa, South America, St Lucia, Swaziland, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Torres Strait, Turks & Caicos, Uganda, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION Seeds are very poisonous. They contain a poison called abrin. If chewed they can cause blindness and death. Roots are reported to be eaten in India. They are boiled and eaten in the Andaman Islands. They are a substitute for liquorice. The seeds have been recorded as eaten in Egypt and India after very long cooking. The leaves have been recorded as being used to make tea drinks in Australia. The very young leaves are cooked and eaten in Nepal when other food is scarce. The dry leaves are chewed with the leaves used with betel nut. The pods are recorded as roasted and eaten in the Andaman Islands.

Not known to be used as food in Papua New Guinea. A very minor food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds (poisonous) , roots, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

It is grown from seed. The seed need to be treated to break the dormancy. Putting them in boiling water can do this. Plants can also be grown from cuttings.

Plants flower in January to April in the southern hemisphere. The fruit develops from December to August. The young leaves are picked off.

Its other names

Local names

Akarunga, Chanothi, Chek-awn, Chuselok, Crab’s Eye vine, Ghuguchi, Gidee Gidee, Gomchi, Guluganji, Gunchi, Gunj, Gunja, Gundu-mani, Gunja, Gurunginia, Jequirity Bean, Kansasaga, Kelimiefitra, Kulales halom tano, Kunch, Kunni, Masokoaky, Matamoso, Ngenguba, Ojos de cangrejo, Peronias, Prayerbead, Rati, Ratti, Rosary Pea, Tanuve, Wild licorice, Yerra gurija, Ywe, Ywe-nge, Ywe-nwe

Synonyms

Glycine abrus L.;