Gidee Gidee Vine / Crab’s Eye Vine
CAUTION
These seeds contain abrin, one of the most potent toxins known.
If hard seedcoat is intact, most ingestions cause mild symptoms & complete recovery is usual. BUT, if seeds are crushed & then ingested, DEATH can occur. Don’t use seed necklaces.
Origin of name
Family: FABACEAE
- Abrus meaning “delicate“
- precatorius meaning “prayful“
Occurrence
A local vine, common in beach forest subject to salt spray. Also found in vine thicket and monsoon forest.
Fast growing and hardy. Prefers loam/gravel soil, well-drained & in full sun. Tolerates drought once established.
Appearance
A slender, perennial twiner with finely pinnate leaves.
Sprays of pink-mauve pea-flowers are followed by brown pods that split to reveal distinctive, red & black seeds.
Birds eat seeds without ill effect.
