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Strophanthus speciosus

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Species of plant

Forest poison rope
Strophanthus speciosus
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Strophanthus
Species: S. speciosus
Binomial name
Strophanthus speciosus
(Ward & Harv.) Reber
Synonyms
  • Christya speciosa Ward & Harv.
  • Strophanthus capensis A.DC.

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

Description

Strophanthus speciosus grows as a tree or shrub up to 4 metres (13 ft) tall, and as a liana up to 16 metres (52 ft) long, with a stem diameter up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in). Its flowers feature a white turning orange corolla, red-streaked on the inside.

Distribution and habitat

Strophanthus speciosus is native to Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini. It occurs in forests and their margins from 300–1,400 metres (1,000–5,000 ft) altitude.

Uses

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

Gallery

  • Habit Habit
  • foliage foliage
  • the two-horned fruit capsule, releasing seeds from both horns the two-horned fruit capsule, releasing seeds from both horns
  • cloudy latex flowing from a scar where a leaf was broken off cloudy latex flowing from a scar where a leaf was broken off

References

  1. 1868 illustration by Walter Hood Fitch (1817 – 1892) - Curtis's Botanical Magazine v94 (1868) Plate 5713
  2. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Strophanthus speciosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T149511893A149511895. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T149511893A149511895.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  3. ^ ‹ The template below (WCSP) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›

    "Strophanthus speciosus". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2 August 2017.

  4. Snyman, Hannelie (Kirstenbosch NBG). "Strophanthus speciosus (Ward & Harv.) Reber". PlantZAfrica. SANBI. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  5. ^ Medicinal Plants. PROTA. 2008. p. 560. ISBN 978-9-05782-204-9.
Taxon identifiers
Strophanthus speciosus
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