कुसुमगुंजा, लेखक : श्री. मारुती चितमपल्ली

Описание: लेखक - श्री. मारुती चितमपल्ली |
Aranyarushi' Maruti Chitampalli is a naturalist, wildlife conservationalist & a well-known writer. Rishi, who taught Maharashtra to read forests!!! He is well regarded for introducing new words to the Marathi language. His books opened a new genre and they didn't just develop readers but also encouraged new writers.
Abrus precatorius | Rosary pea
Abrus precatorius, widely known as rosary pea, jequirity bean, or gunja, is a perennial climbing vine native to tropical Asia. It thrives in warm, humid climates and grows vigorously by twining around nearby plants, fences, or supports. Its delicate compound leaves and clusters of small pinkish-purple flowers give it an ornamental appearance, but the plant is best recognized for its hard, glossy red seeds with a distinctive black spot. These seeds have been valued for centuries in traditional cultures for making necklaces, rosaries, and decorative crafts due to their bright color and uniform weight.
Despite its attractive look, rosary pea is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. The seeds contain Abrin, a highly toxic compound that can cause severe illness or death if ingested after the seed coat is damaged. Symptoms of poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dehydration, difficulty breathing, and organ failure. Even a single well-chewed seed can be fatal to a child, making it essential to handle the seeds with great caution and keep them out of reach of children and animals.
The plant is also known for its cultural and traditional significance in India. In ancient times, its seeds, known as “ratti,” were used as a standard unit of weight for gold and gemstones. In Ayurveda, carefully processed and detoxified seeds, roots, and leaves have been used to treat certain ailments, but such use requires expert supervision due to the high risk of toxicity.
Ecologically, Abrus precatorius is considered invasive in many countries outside its native range. It can quickly dominate other vegetation, reducing biodiversity and harming local ecosystems. The plant spreads easily through its hardy seeds, which can remain viable for years. While beautiful and historically significant, it is both dangerous and environmentally aggressive, so it must be managed carefully wherever it grows.

The following are some of Chitampalli Sir’s works:
Ratawa (रातवा)
Ranvata (रानवाटा)
Nilawanti (निळावंती)
Pranikosh (प्राणीकोश)
Pakshikosh (पक्षीकोश)
Suwarna Garud (सुवर्ण गरुड)
Nisargawachan ( निसर्गवाचन)
Shabdanche Dhan (शब्दांचे धन)
Jangalache Dene (जंगलाचं देणं)
Mrugpakshishastra (मृगपक्षीशास्त्र)
Kesharacha Paus (केशराचा पाऊस)
Gharatya Palikade (घरट्या पलिकडे)
Anandadayi Bagale (आनंददायी बगळे)
Pakshi Jaya Digantara (पक्षी जाय दिगंतरा)
Chitragriwa: Eka Kabutarachi Katha (चित्रग्रीव : एका कबुतराची कथा)
Navegavbandhache diwas: (नवेगाव बांधचे दिवस)
Chaitrapalawi: 2004, Chakva Chandan : Ek Vanopanishad (चकवा चांदण : एक वनोपनिषद) (Autobiography) An Introduction to Mrugpakshishastra of Hansadev (in English)
My Sincere thanks to,
BGM Flute : Mr. Ainuddin Warsi Sir
Photography : Saurabh J.

Books Available at :
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