Abrus precatorius L.

 

              Scientific Name: Abrus precatorius L.

Family: Fabaceae

Vernacular name: Chuvannakunni, Gunj, Kakani, Kunni, Kunnikuru

Habit: Twining shrub

Habitat: Degraded forest land, forest road Distribution: India, Myanmar, Malaysia 

Flowering and Fruiting: October-May

Key identification features: Woody perennial twining shrubs with young stems covered in fine hairs. The leaves are even-pinnate, composed of 12-16 pairs of leaflets. These leaflets are oblong to elliptic. The pink flowers appear in axillary racemes. The stamens are meaning they are fused together. Fruit is a pod with numerous seeds.

Tribal Consumers: Kurichiyan, Kuruma

 

Uses: Abrus precatorius has several important uses. It has been utilized for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, caution is advised, as the seeds contain a toxic compound called abrin, which can be harmful if ingested.