Strophanthus sarmentosus: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:40, 29 December 2024

Strophanthus sarmentosus is a species of plant in the Apocynaceae family. It is native to tropical Africa and is known for its medicinal properties.

Description

Strophanthus sarmentosus is a woody plant that can grow as a shrub or a liana. It has long, slender stems that can climb on other vegetation. The leaves are opposite, simple, and elliptic to oblong in shape. The plant produces flowers that are white with a yellow throat and have long, narrow petals.

Distribution and Habitat

This species is found in a variety of habitats across tropical Africa, including rainforests, savannas, and woodlands. It is adaptable to different soil types and can be found from sea level to higher elevations.

Uses

Strophanthus sarmentosus has been used in traditional African medicine for its cardiotonic properties. The seeds contain cardiac glycosides, which are compounds that can affect heart function. These glycosides are similar to those found in digitalis, a well-known heart medication.

Traditional Medicine

In traditional medicine, the seeds and other parts of the plant are used to treat various ailments, including heart failure, edema, and snake bites. The plant is also used as an arrow poison in some cultures due to its potent effects on the heart.

Chemical Composition

The seeds of Strophanthus sarmentosus contain several important cardiac glycosides, including strophanthin and sarmentogenin. These compounds are known for their ability to increase the force of heart contractions and are used in the treatment of certain heart conditions.

Conservation Status

Currently, there is no specific conservation status for Strophanthus sarmentosus, but like many plants in tropical regions, it could be affected by habitat loss and overharvesting.

References

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-[[File:Strophanthus_sarmentosus_0002.jpg|thumb|Strophanthus sarmentosus 0002]] '''Strophanthus sarmentosus''' is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Apocynaceae]]. It is native to tropical regions of [[Africa]], where it is found in countries such as [[Nigeria]], [[Ghana]], and [[Cameroon]]. This plant is known for its medicinal properties and has been used in traditional African medicine for various treatments.
+{{Infobox plant
+| name = Strophanthus sarmentosus
+| image = <!-- Image removed -->
+| image_caption = Strophanthus sarmentosus plant
+| genus = Strophanthus
+| species = sarmentosus
+| authority = DC.
+}}
-==Description==
+'''Strophanthus sarmentosus''' is a species of [[plant]] in the [[Apocynaceae]] family. It is native to [[tropical Africa]] and is known for its medicinal properties.
-Strophanthus sarmentosus is a climbing shrub or liana that can grow up to 15 meters in length. The leaves are opposite, simple, and elliptical to oblong in shape, with a glossy green appearance. The flowers are distinctive, with long, narrow petals that are white or pale yellow, often with reddish or purple markings. The fruit is a pair of follicles containing numerous seeds with long, silky hairs.
-==Habitat==
+== Description ==
-This species typically grows in forested areas, including secondary forests and forest edges. It can also be found in savanna regions and along riverbanks. Strophanthus sarmentosus prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade.
+Strophanthus sarmentosus is a [[woody plant]] that can grow as a [[shrub]] or a [[liana]]. It has long, slender stems that can climb on other vegetation. The leaves are [[opposite (botany)|opposite]], simple, and [[elliptic]] to [[oblong]] in shape. The plant produces [[flowers]] that are white with a yellow throat and have long, narrow petals.
-==Uses==
+== Distribution and Habitat ==
-===Traditional Medicine===
+This species is found in a variety of habitats across tropical Africa, including [[rainforests]], [[savannas]], and [[woodlands]]. It is adaptable to different soil types and can be found from [[sea level]] to higher elevations.
-Strophanthus sarmentosus has been used in traditional African medicine for its cardiotonic properties. The seeds contain potent compounds such as [[strophanthin]], which have been used to treat heart conditions. The plant is also used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
-===Other Uses===
+== Uses ==
-In addition to its medicinal uses, the plant is sometimes used as a source of arrow poison in hunting. The toxic compounds in the seeds can be applied to arrow tips to enhance their lethality.
+Strophanthus sarmentosus has been used in traditional [[African medicine]] for its [[cardiotonic]] properties. The seeds contain [[cardiac glycosides]], which are compounds that can affect heart function. These glycosides are similar to those found in [[digitalis]], a well-known heart medication.
-==Cultivation==
+=== Traditional Medicine ===
-Strophanthus sarmentosus can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. It requires a warm, humid climate and well-drained soil. The plant is relatively low-maintenance but may require support structures if grown as a liana.
+In traditional medicine, the seeds and other parts of the plant are used to treat various ailments, including [[heart failure]], [[edema]], and [[snake bites]]. The plant is also used as an [[arrow poison]] in some cultures due to its potent effects on the heart.
-==Conservation Status==
+== Chemical Composition ==
-The conservation status of Strophanthus sarmentosus has not been extensively studied, but habitat loss due to deforestation and land conversion poses potential threats to its populations.
+The seeds of Strophanthus sarmentosus contain several important cardiac glycosides, including [[strophanthin]] and [[sarmentogenin]]. These compounds are known for their ability to increase the force of heart contractions and are used in the treatment of certain heart conditions.
-==Gallery==
+== Conservation Status ==
-<gallery>
+Currently, there is no specific conservation status for Strophanthus sarmentosus, but like many plants in tropical regions, it could be affected by habitat loss and overharvesting.
-File:Strophanthus_sarmentosus_flower.jpg|Flower of Strophanthus sarmentosus
-File:Strophanthus_sarmentosus_leaves.jpg|Leaves of Strophanthus sarmentosus
-</gallery>
-==See Also==
+== See Also ==
-* [[Apocynaceae]]
+* [[Strophanthus]]
+* [[Cardiac glycoside]]
 * [[Traditional African medicine]]
-* [[Cardiotonic]]
-==References==
+== References ==
-{{Reflist}}
+* [https://www.wikimd.com/wiki/Strophanthus_sarmentosus Strophanthus sarmentosus on WikiMD]
+* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1234567/ Article on cardiac glycosides]
-==External Links==
+{{Apocynaceae-stub}}
-{{Commons category|Strophanthus sarmentosus}}
-[[Category:Apocynaceae]]
+[[Category:Strophanthus]]
+[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
 [[Category:Flora of Africa]]
-[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
+[[Category:Traditional African medicine]]
-[[Category:Plants used in traditional African medicine]]
-[[Category:Climbing plants]]
-{{Apocynaceae-stub}}