ON THIS PLANT
Strophanthus hispidus, the hispid strophanthus, (family: Apocynaceae) 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 (notably strophanthin) 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.
CHARACTERISTICS
Botanical profile.
- Genus
- Strophanthus
- Family
- Apocynaceae
ALSO KNOWN AS
Other names.
en Hairy strophanthus en Poison arrowvine en Brown strophanthus en Hispid strophanthus en Strophantus
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