Rauvolfia

Rauvolfia is a genus in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1753. It is native to tropical regions in Central America, South America, Asia, Africa, and various oceanic islands. The genus is named for Leonhard Rauwolf. The most well-known species is Rauvolfia serpentina, or Indian Snakeroot or Sarpagandha, which has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India for centuries.

Description

Rauvolfia species are evergreen trees and shrubs. The leaves are simple, with an entire margin, and are arranged in whorls. The flowers are tubular, usually white, pink or red, and are borne in small clusters. The fruit is a drupe containing numerous seeds.

Uses

Several species are used in traditional medicine. Rauvolfia serpentina is used in Ayurveda for hypertension and insomnia. It contains the alkaloids reserpine and rescinnamine, which are used as antihypertensive drugs. Rauvolfia vomitoria, or poison devil's-pepper, is used in Africa for a variety of purposes, including treatment of hypertension and mental disorders.

Species

There are about 85 species in the genus. Some of the more well-known species include:

• Rauvolfia caffra - Quinine tree
• Rauvolfia serpentina - Indian Snakeroot
• Rauvolfia vomitoria - Poison devil's-pepper

External links

• The Plant List: Rauvolfia

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