ABRUS PRECATORIUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Abrus precatorius, commonly known as the rosary pea or jequirity pea, is a flowering plant species native to tropical regions found in Africa, Asia, and parts of Australia. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and is a perennial vine that can grow up to 5 meters in length.
The plant is characterized by its distinctive pinnate leaves, and clusters of small, bright red or orange seeds enclosed in a black and very hard shell. The seeds have a glossy appearance and resemble beads, which has led to their traditional use in making jewelry and rosaries, giving rise to their common name.
However, these seeds are also extremely toxic due to the presence of a chemical compound called abrin. Abrin is a potent poison that affects the body at a cellular level, inhibiting protein synthesis and leading to severe organ damage. Ingestion or inhalation of even a small amount of abrin can be fatal.
Abrus precatorius seeds have been used historically for their medicinal properties in traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, due to their extreme toxicity, their use as a therapeutic agent is highly discouraged and considered hazardous.
In conclusion, Abrus precatorius, often known as the rosary pea, is a perennial vine native to tropical regions. It produces vibrant red or orange seeds that contain the toxic compound abrin, making them lethal if ingested or inhaled. While traditionally used in jewelry and some traditional medicines, the extreme toxicity of these seeds discourages their use in any therapeutic applications.
Common Misspellings for ABRUS PRECATORIUS
- zbrus precatorius
- sbrus precatorius
- wbrus precatorius
- qbrus precatorius
- avrus precatorius
- anrus precatorius
- ahrus precatorius
- agrus precatorius
- abeus precatorius
- abdus precatorius
- abfus precatorius
- abtus precatorius
- ab5us precatorius
- ab4us precatorius
- abrys precatorius
- abrhs precatorius
- abrjs precatorius
- abris precatorius
- abr8s precatorius
- abr7s precatorius
Etymology of ABRUS PRECATORIUS
The word "Abrus" comes from the Greek word "abros", which means "delicate". The term "precatorius" is derived from the Latin word "precator", meaning "one who prays or begs". The Latin name "Abrus precatorius" is derived from the belief that the seeds of this plant were used as prayer beads or rosaries by some cultures due to their round shape and vibrant colors.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
