ABRUS PRECATORIUS
\ɐbɹˈuːz pɹɪkɐtˈɔːɹɪəs], \ɐbɹˈuːz pɹɪkɐtˈɔːɹɪəs], \ɐ_b_ɹ_ˈuː_z p_ɹ_ɪ_k_ɐ_t_ˈɔː_ɹ_ɪ__ə_s]\
Definitions of ABRUS PRECATORIUS
Sort: Oldest first
-
A small ornamental shrub, found from Florida to Brazil, as well as in Egypt and the West Indies; Nat. Ord. Leguminosae. Sex. Syst. Monadelphia Enneandria; having beautiful scarlet seeds with a black spot. The roots and leaves are sweet mucilaginous demulcents. The seeds of the American kind are considered to be purgative and poisonous. They are employed to form rosaries, and hence called, in mockery, Jumble beads.
By Robley Dunglison
