Abrus pre cat or i us

Graceful, twining plant of natural family Legumin ose; indigenous to India, but now growing wild in all tropical countries, and grown, as an ornamental plant, in greenhouses in temperate countries. Known by common name of Indian Liquorice, or Wild Liquorice; flowers are rose-colored, on one-sided, long-stalked raceme; pods contain 4 to 6 scarlet-colored seeds, of size of a small pea, with black spot at hilum; are used for making rosaries and necklaces, hence are called prayer-beads, and sometimes jumble beads or crabs'-eyes; whole plant has sweet taste, and root is used like liquorice root in tropical countries; seeds are also used in India as a standard of weight by Hindoo jewelers and druggists. Each seed is estimated equal to 2 3-16 grains. Seeds were introduced to Europe and America in 1882 under name of Jequirity, and a weak decoction has been employed for cure of granular eyelids, but in some cases severe inflammation followed its use.