Gidgee Gidgee (species: Abrus precatorius) in Lizard Island Field Guide (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island Field Guide > Terrestrial Life > Terrestrial Plants > Herbs and Non-woody vines > Abrus precatorius (gallery)
Abrus precatorius
Gidgee Gidgee


©Anne Hoggett: Abrus precatorius seeds in pod at Lizard Island Research Station, Oct 2018.

©Anne Hoggett: Seeds and leaves of Abrus precatorius at Lizard Island

©Anne Hoggett: Poisonous red and black seeds of Abrus precatorius at Lizard Island

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Kingdom Plantae
Division Tracheophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Fabales
Family Fabaceae
Genus Abrus
Species Abrus precatorius

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Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

                             

Distinguishing features

This slender climbing plant is usually noticed due to its shiny, bright red seeds each with a large black spot at the end. The seeds are extremely poisonous if chewed and swallowed (see below). The leaves are pinnate with up to 15 pairs of leaflets. Pale lavender pea-flowers form in clusters and develop into brown pods that contain the seeds. 

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Common in woodland areas

Web resources

Danger

  • usually fatal - Seeds are extremely poisonous if chewed and eaten. However, the seed coat is very hard and a seed swallowed whole would probably pass through the body without harm. Don't try it!

References

References that assist with identification

  • Cribb, A.B. and J.W. Cribb (1985). Plant life of the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent shores University of Queensland Press, St Lucia.

Other references

  • De Sloover, J.R. and M. Dufrene (1999). Flora and vegetation of Turtell V, Turtell Islands Group (Queensland, Australia), Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg./ Bull. Nat. Plantentuin Belg., 67: 45-97. LIRS catalog number 577.
  • De Sloover, J.R. and A.-L. Jacquemart (2008). Nymph Island (Great Barrier Reef, Qld., Australia): Flora and vegetation of a low wooded island, Scripta Botanica Belgica, 43: 1-88. LIRS catalog number 1210.
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