Crab's Eye

Gidee-gidee, Jequirity bean, Rosary pea, Precatory bean Well Chewed or broken seeds are toxic when ingested. One seed contains sufficient toxin to kill an adult. However, if the seed remains unbroken then the toxin may not be released. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, disorientation and death. Symptoms may be rapid or delayed 1–3 days. As told to me during my childhood that this seed is used by jewelers to measure precious metals and is called "Ratti". A ratti is a traditional Indian unit of mass measurement, and has now been standardized[citation needed] as 0.12125 gram. It was measured by ratti seed. This seed is actually "Abrus precatorius" seed.

what a strange plant

LennyWorthington About that poisonous bit...this is what Flowers of India has to say, "Jewelry-making with jequirity seeds is dangerous, and there have been cases of death by a finger-prick while boring the seeds for beadwork." http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Gunj.html We were fascinated by these beads as children...no one ever told us about it being so poisonous...but then we never ever touched one..only watched from far as gold was weighed on delicate brass scales. Thanks.

Hema, I only know these as Ratti...but you are right. http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Gunj.html

Sukanya, Is this known as "Gunj" also? The leaves are edible and have a cooling effect on the tongue?Trying to recollect.

As a child, in India, I have seen goldsmiths use this seed to weigh gold. It was called a Ratti. Apparently all the seeds weighed the same...you brought some very old memories to light. Thank you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratti