Strophanthus gratus

Strophanthus gratus is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

Strophanthus gratus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Strophanthus
Species:
S. gratus
Binomial name
Strophanthus gratus
Synonyms[1]
  • Roupellia grata Wall. & Hook.
  • Roupalia grata (Wall. & Hook.) T.Moore & Ayres
  • Strophanthus stanleyanus Hook.
  • Strophanthus glaber Cornu ex Holmes
  • Nerium guineense Brongn. ex Perrot & Vogt
  • Strophanthus chopraie M.R.Almeida

Description

Strophanthus gratus is a woody liana that can grow up to 25 metres (80 ft), with a trunk diameter of up to 10 centimetres (4 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white corolla, topped by red or purple colour, with pink corona lobes.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Strophanthus gratus is native to tropical Africa: from Senegal in the west, east and south to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is naturalized in Taiwan and also Trinidad and Tobago.[1]

Uses

Strophanthus gratus has been used in local traditional medicine: ouabain derived from the plant's seeds is used as a treatment for heart failure. It has also been used as arrow poison.[2]

References
  1. "Strophanthus gratus". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  2. "Strophanthus gratus". eFloras. Retrieved 11 July 2013.


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