Strophanthus speciosus explained

Strophanthus speciosus, commonly known as the forest poison rope, is a tree, shrub or woody climber which is native to southern Africa.[1]

Description

Strophanthus speciosus grows as a tree or shrub up to tall, and as a liana up to long, with a stem diameter up to . Its flowers feature a white turning orange corolla, red-streaked on the inside.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Strophanthus speciosus is native to Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini.[2] It occurs in forests and their margins from NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) altitude.[2]

Uses

Local medicinal uses of S. speciosus include snakebite treatment. The plant has also been used as arrow poison.[2] As with other species of Strophanthus it contains the cardiac glycoside strophanthin - plants of allied genera contain similar compounds.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Snyman . Hannelie (Kirstenbosch NBG) . Strophanthus speciosus (Ward & Harv.) Reber . PlantZAfrica . SANBI . 21 March 2019.
  2. Book: Medicinal Plants . PROTA . 2008 . 560 . 978-9-05782-204-9.