Strophanthus

Strophanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1809. It is native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. The name Strophanthus comes from the Greek words strophos (a twisted cord) and anthos (flower), referring to the long twisted threadlike segments of the corolla.

Description

Strophanthus species are shrubs, lianas or small trees. The leaves are opposite or whorled, simple broad lanceolate, 2–20 cm long, with an entire margin. The flowers are produced in open cymes, with a five-lobed white, pink, or red corolla, typically twisted in the bud, hence the genus name. The fruit is a pair of follicles 5–40 cm long, containing numerous seeds; each seed has a tuft of silky hairs at one end, which aids wind dispersal.

Uses

Several species are used in traditional medicine in their native regions; some species are used to produce arrow poisons. The seeds of Strophanthus kombe and Strophanthus gratus are the source of the drug strophanthin.

Species

There are about 38 species in the genus, including:

• Strophanthus boivinii
• Strophanthus caudatus
• Strophanthus divaricatus
• Strophanthus gratus
• Strophanthus hispidus
• Strophanthus kombe
• Strophanthus petersianus
• Strophanthus preussii
• Strophanthus sarmentosus
• Strophanthus speciosus
• Strophanthus thollonii
• Strophanthus wallichii

References

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