Rosary Pea. Abrus precatorius (L.) Fabaceae

Transcription

1 Rosary Pea Abrus precatorius (L.) Fabaceae

2 Other common names include: crab s eyes Jequiriti precatory pea licorice vine Biology Climbing or trailing woody vine Non-native, native to India

3 Biology Considered to be one of the most toxic plants in the world Toxin is abrin Found only in the seed Released if chewed & swallowed % of toxin per body weight ~ single seed in humans Fatal to humans, pets and livestock

4 Economic uses Attractive Background ornamental vine in many landscapes Seeds are used in many types of jewelry

5 Distribution Found throughout much of the tropics, including Hawaii, Polynesia, Caribbean Islands Scattered infestations in the southeastern US Primarily in Central and South Florida Over 27 counties, mainly coastal

6 Rosary Pea Distribution in Florida

7 Impacts Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC) Invades undisturbed pinelands and hammocks Grows over small trees and shrubs Displaces native plant communities

8 Mature Plant

9 Identification

10 Mature Plant Climbing, trailing woody vine Slender, green branches and stems Deeply rooted, often with trailing roots Responds favorably to fire

11 Bean-shaped cotyledons First true leaf trifoliate, then pinnately compound No terminal leaflet Seedling

12 Leaves and Stems Climbing vine Alternate compound leaves, 2 to 5 inches long 5 to 15 pairs of oblong leaflets

13 Flowers and Fruit Small pale violet to pink flowers Clustered in leaf axils Legume-shaped pod, oblong, flat 1½ - 2 inches long

14 Seedpod splits at maturity, seeds remain attached Seeds brilliant red/scarlet with a black spot Birds unaffected by toxin, readily disperse seed Seed

15 Management Preventative Cultural Mechanical Biological Chemical

16 Preventative 1. Restrict planting as a landscape plant 2. Regular monitoring and rouging of escaped plants 3. Avoid use of mulch possibly contaminated with rosary pea seeds 4. Target management efforts to prevent seed development and spread

17 Cultural 1. Alternative landscape plants to replace rosary pea 2. Programs to educate homeowners Problems associated with rosary pea Proper plant identification 3. Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce rosary pea establishment and growth

18 Biological 1. There are no known biological control agents available for rosary pea management in Florida

19 Mechanical 1. Hand-pulling and removal of entire plants (small infestations) removing top growth is not enough critical to rouge out roots 2. Aggressive tillage is very effective impractical in many areas 3. Repeated operations will be necessary to kill sprouting plants from roots

20 Chemical 1. Application timing critical, apply in fall prior to seed set 2. Large woody vines, cut above ground stem and apply triclopyr immediately to the cut stem 3. Foliage Application Triclopyr (3-5 % solution) Glyphosate (1-3% solution)

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22 Useful Links Unites States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database: Invasives and Exotic Species of North America: University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: University of Florida s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source:

23 Useful Links Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: Floridata: come&viewsrc=welcome.htm The Hillsborough County Invasive Species Task Force: Identification and control of non-native invasive plants in the Tampa Bay Area:

24 Literature Cited Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.