Strophanthus amboensis

Strophanthus amboensis is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

Strophanthus amboensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Strophanthus
Species:
S. amboensis
Binomial name
Strophanthus amboensis
Synonyms[1]
  • Strophanthus gossweileri H.Hess
  • Strophanthus hirsutus H.Hess
  • Strophanthus intermedius Pax
  • Strophanthus longicalyx H.Hess
  • Strophanthus paxii H.Hess
  • Strophanthus petersianus var. amboensis Schinz
  • Strophanthus schuchardtii Pax

Description

Strophanthus amboensis grows as a deciduous shrub up to 4 metres (13 ft) tall, or as a liana up to 20 m (66 ft) long, with a stem diameter up to 20 cm (8 in). Its flowers feature an orange-yellow turning purple corolla tube, white-streaked on the inside.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Strophanthus amboensis is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and Namibia. Its habitats are forest margins, scrubland or rock fissures, from 450–2,000 m (1,480–6,560 ft) altitude.[1][2]

Uses

Strophanthus amboensis is used in local traditional medicine treatments for rheumatism, venereal diseases and scabies. The plant has been used as arrow poison.[2]

References
  1. "Strophanthus amboensis". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  2. Medicinal Plants. PROTA. 2008. pp. 542–543. ISBN 978-9-05782-204-9.


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