Rosary Pea — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA
Pet safety reference

Rosary Pea

Abrus precatorius

The Rosary Pea is a climbing vine known for its highly toxic seeds, which contain the potent protein abrin. Due to the extreme danger posed by the seeds, this plant should be kept strictly out of reach of all pets.

Abrus precatoriusCrab's EyeJequirity BeanPrecatory BeanRosary Pea
Light
Bright indirect light
Habit
Climbing vine
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, tremors, and potential organ failure.

Escalation note

The seeds are extremely toxic; ingestion of even a single seed can be fatal. Contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and potential cardiovascular collapse.

Escalation note

The plant contains abrin, a highly potent toxin. Ingestion is a medical emergency; contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

The Rosary Pea is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of abrin.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific name and botanical classification for Abrus precatorius.

cats safety pageMy cat ate Rosary Peadogs safety pageMy dog ate Rosary Pea

Same safety verdict

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