Seeds of the abrus precatorius at a plant exhibit in Nanjing Zhongshan Botanical Garden, Nanjing city, East China's Jiangsu province, Jan 31, 2016. [Photo/IC]

A Chinese passenger was found unintentionally carrying one of the world's most toxic seeds, which he had picked up in Ethiopia, in his suitcase at Guangzhou airport, according to Nanfang Daily.

The man, whose name was not revealed by police, explained he loved the appearance of the seeds and thought they were harmless when security staff at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport found 0.1 kilogram of them in his suitcase.

After testing and identification at a laboratory in Guangzhou Airport Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, the seeds were identified as abrus precatorius, a pantropic plant also known as the rosary pea (or jequirity pea).

The reason why the seeds are listed as one of the world's top toxic lies in abrine contained in them.

A man could die if he inhales or ingests three micrograms of abrine, let alone the 0.1 kilogram.

The bureau launched an emergency plan, not only examining and protecting staff that had touched the seeds, but also properly keeping the seeds until destroying them.

This is not the first case of the toxic seeds being discovered.

In December 2011, the Eden Project, a visitor attraction in Cornwall, Britain, recalled a sale of bracelets, which were made of the same seeds, in consideration of the harm they could do to people's health.

Chinese citizens traveling, working or studying in foreign countries are advised not to pick up the unknown plants or their seeds, which may be poisonous, and go to local doctors if they are ill after eating or wearing the toxic plants.