6 MISC. PUB. 882, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Fortunately, some woody, poisonous plants are easily and cheaply 
killed by diesel oil or used motor oil applied to the base of the plants. 
Even though such applications do not give 100-percent kills, retreat- 
ment of the few survivors is not much of a problem. These oils usually 
act more slowly than does 2,4-D and related herbicides. Where these 
oils alone are inadequate, a small amount of one of the common selec- 
tive herbicides should be added. 
DESCRIPTION OF POISONOUS PLANTS 
The descriptions have been simplified insofar as possible by omitting 
technical terms. Eggers (7/4), Bailey (3), and Velez (57) were used 
as guides, and constant reference was made to Britton and Wilson (4). 
Hume (26, 27) and Winters (62) also were valuable sources of infor- 
mation. The illustrations, which were made from live plants, should 
be useful even to those whose native language is not English. 
In addition to the description, the distribution and habitat are given 
to aid the stockman in locating the plant. The toxicity is given, and 
such symptoms as are known, to aid in associating known poisonous 
plants with losses among various classes of livestock. The toxic part 
or parts of plants are given, when known, to aid in locating, identify- 
ing, and associating specific toxic plants with known symptoms they 
produce. Once a toxic plant is located, identified, and positively asso- 
ciated with known animal losses the problem of control arises. This 
problem is discussed under “Management and Control.” 
Poisonous plants can be classified in any one of several ways. In 
this study it seemed simplest to list them alphabetically by scientific 
name. The local common name or names are also given if known. 
Leguminosae, or Legume, Family 
Abrus precatorius L. (fig. 1) 
Jumbee Bead, Crab’s Eyes 
Description.—This slender vine is woody below, somewhat herba- 
ceous near the tip, and may reach 20 to 30 feet in length. Older 
parts of the stem are smooth but young parts may be covered with 
a few hairs. The vines have stipules by which they attach themselves 
for support. The alternate, compound leaves, which usually have 
8 to 15 pairs of leaflets, vary from 2 to 4 inches in length. The 
thin leaflets, about 14 to 14 inch long, are oblong and rounded at 
both ends. The small, red to purple flowers are borne along the 
stem on 1- to 3-inch flowering stems. The oblong pods are beaked, 
reaching 11% inches in length and about 14 inch in width. They 
twist and curl at maturity, and split longitudinally to release many 
hard, small, smooth, spherical, scarlet seeds, which have a black spot. 
Jumbee bead blossoms at sporadic intervals throughout the year and 
reproduces by seeds. The plants shed most of their leaves during 
extremely dry periods. They are most conspicuous after the pods 
split open and reveal the seeds. 
DisTRIBUTION AND Haprrar.—Jumbee bead is found growing wild 
throughout the Virgin Islands. It grows in full sun or partial shade, 
occasionally along roadsides and on waste grounds but more commonly 
in thickets and wooded areas, twining on brush and trees. The plants 
