Strophanthus preussii

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Strophanthus preussii
Strophanthus preussii (25433002894).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Strophanthus
Species:
S. preussii
Binomial name
Strophanthus preussii
Synonyms [2]
  • Strophanthus bracteatusFranch.

Strophanthus preussii, the Preuss' strophanthus, [3] is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

Contents

Description

Strophanthus preussii grows as an evergreen liana up to 12 metres (39 ft) long or a shrub up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall, with a stem diameter up to 2.5 centimetres (1 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white to orange corolla, red-striped or spotted on the inside. Corollas have very long tails. Other vernacular names for the plant include "spider tresses" and "poison arrow vine". [4]

Distribution and habitat

Strophanthus preussii is native to west and central tropical Africa. [2] [4] Its habitat is forested areas from sea level to 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) altitude. [4]

Uses

Traditional medicinal uses of Strophanthus preussii include treatment of gonorrhoea and healing of sores. The plant has also been used as arrow poison. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Strophanthus kombe</i> Species of plant

Strophanthus kombe, the kombe arrow poison, is a vine that grows in the tropical regions of Eastern Africa, and is part of the genus Strophanthus, which contains approximately 38 species. S. kombe contains a cardiac glycoside which directly affects the heart. Historically, both the seeds and roots of the plant were used in the preparation of poison arrowheads used for hunting. Today, the seeds are used pharmaceutically for patients with certain heart conditions that affect blood circulation. The seeds are traded primarily with Europe, but have also been exported to the United States and Japan.

<i>Strophanthus gratus</i> Species of plant

Strophanthus gratus is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

<i>Strophanthus hispidus</i> Species of plant

Strophanthus hispidus, the hispid strophanthus, is a liana or shrub that can grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. Its flowers feature a yellow corolla and yellow corona lobes spotted with red, purple or brown. The seeds, like those of several other Strophanthus species, contain potent cardiac glycosides absorbable through wounds - hence its use in African arrow poisons and later in modern medicine as a digitalis-like heart stimulant. Strophanthus hispidus is native from west tropical Africa east to Tanzania and south to Angola. It is naturalized in China.

<i>Strophanthus petersianus</i> Species of plant

Strophanthus petersianus, commonly known as sand forest poison rope, is a liana or deciduous shrub up to 15 metres (50 ft) long, with a stem diameter up to 10 centimetres (4 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white corolla, sometimes with reddish pink stripes on the inside. Strophanthus petersianus has been used as arrow poison and by the Zulu as a charm against evil. Its habitat is coastal forest and rocky woodland. It is native to countries from Kenya south to South Africa.

<i>Strophanthus sarmentosus</i> Species of shrub

Strophanthus sarmentosus grows as either a deciduous shrub or as a liana up to 40 metres (130 ft) long, with a stem diameter up to 15 centimetres (6 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white to purple corolla, red or purple-streaked on the inside. Strophanthus sarmentosus is native from west and central tropical Africa to Uganda and Angola. Vernacular names for the plant include spider tresses and poison arrow vine. Its habitat is forested areas from sea level to 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) altitude.

<i>Strophanthus speciosus</i> Species of plant

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

Strophanthus thollonii, or Thollon's strophanthus, is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

Strophanthus welwitschii grows as a deciduous shrub or small tree up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall, or as a liana up to 8 metres (26 ft) long, with a stem diameter up to 10 centimetres (4 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white turning purple corolla, creamy and red or purple-streaked on the inside. Its habitat is forests or rocky woodlands from 300 metres (1,000 ft) to 1,800 metres (6,000 ft) altitude. S. welwitschii is used in local medicinal treatments for respiratory conditions, gonorrhoea and scabies. The plant has been used as arrow poison. Strophanthus welwitschii is native to Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Angola and Zambia.

<i>Strophanthus amboensis</i> Species of plant

Strophanthus amboensis is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

<i>Strophanthus boivinii</i> Species of plant

Strophanthus boivinii, the wood shaving flower, is a species of plant in the family Apocynaceae.

<i>Strophanthus eminii</i> Species of plant in the family Apocynaceae

Strophanthus eminii is a species of flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family. It is referred to by the common name Emin's strophanthus, and grows as a liana up to 10 metres (33 ft) long or as a shrub or small tree up to 7 metres (23 ft) tall, with a stem diameter up to 6 centimetres (2.4 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a pink with white turning red corolla tube, white turning yellow with red spots and streaks inside. Vernacular names for the plant include "spider tresses" and "poison arrow vine". Its habitat is deciduous woodland or rocky bushland, from 600 metres (2,000 ft) to 1,650 metres (5,400 ft) altitude. Strophanthus eminii is used in local medicinal treatments for snakebites, skin diseases and wounds and also as an anthelmintic. The plant has been used as arrow poison. It is native to Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia.

Hunteria umbellata grows as either a shrub or small tree up to 22 metres (72 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 40 centimetres (16 in). Its flowers feature a white, creamy or pale yellow corolla. The fruit is yellow and smooth. Its habitat is forests from sea level to 600 metres (2,000 ft) altitude. Its numerous local medicinal uses include for fever, leprosy sores, stomach and liver problems and as an anthelmintic, especially against internal worms. Hunteria umbellata has been used as arrow poison. The plant's hard wood is used in carving and to make small tools. The species is native to an area of tropical Africa from Guinea-Bissau in the west to Angola in the south.

Hunteria zeylanica grows as either an evergreen shrub or as a tree up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 34.5 centimetres (13.6 in). Its flowers feature a white corolla. The berries are yellow. Its habitat is forests from sea level to 350 metres (1,150 ft) altitude. The trees can withstand salinity. Local medicinal uses include for stomach-ache. Hunteria zeylanica wood is used for weapon handles and as firewood. In Africa, the plant is native to Kenya and Tanzania and in Asia it is native to China, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina and western Malesia.

<i>Rauvolfia mannii</i> Species of plant

Rauvolfia mannii grows as a shrub or small tree up to 8 metres (26 ft) tall. Its fragrant flowers feature white to pink or red-brown, or yellow corolla lobes. Its habitat is forests from sea level to 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) altitude. The plant has been used as arrow poison. Rauvolfia mannii is native to central Africa.

<i>Tabernaemontana crassa</i> Species of plant

Tabernaemontana crassa is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, native to tropical Africa.

Alafia landolphioides grows as a liana up to 20 metres (66 ft) long, with a stem diameter of up to 2.5 centimetres (1 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white corolla, dark red at the throat. The fruit is dark brown with paired cylindrical follicles, each up to 45 centimetres (18 in) in diameter.

Alafia lucida is a plant in the family Apocynaceae.

<i>Diplorhynchus</i> Genus of plants

Diplorhynchus is a monotypic genus of plant in the family Apocynaceae native to tropical and southern Africa. As of August 2020, Plants of the World Online recognises the single species Diplorhynchus condylocarpon.

<i>Holarrhena floribunda</i> Species of plant

Holarrhena floribunda, commonly known as the false rubber tree, conessi bark or kurchi bark, is a plant in the family Apocynaceae.

Schizozygia is a monotypic genus of plant in the family Apocynaceae found in tropical Africa and the Comoros. As of July 2020, Plants of the World Online recognises the single species Schizozygia coffaeoides.

References

  1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Strophanthus preussii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T147042787A147042789. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T147042787A147042789.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Strophanthus preussii". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  3. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Strophanthus preussii". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Medicinal Plants. PROTA. 2008. pp. 555–557. ISBN   978-9-05782-204-9.