Strophanthus

Strophanthus
File:Strophanthus preussi0.jpg
Strophanthus preussii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Strophanthus DC., 1802
Synonyms
Cercocoma Wall. ex G.Don Christya Ward & Harv. Faskia Lour. ex B.A.Gomes Roupalia T.Moore & Ayres Roupellia Wall. & Hook. ex Benth. Roupellina (Baill.) Pichon Zygonerion Baill.

Strophanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1802. It is native primarily to tropical Africa, extending to South Africa, with a few species in Asia, from southern India to New Guinea and southern China. The name (strophos anthos, "twisted cord flower") derives from the long twisted threadlike segments of the corolla, which in one species (S. preussii) attain a length of 30–35 cm.

The genus includes vines, shrubs and small trees. The leaves are opposite or whorled, simple broad lanceolate, 2–20 cm long, with an entire margin.

Several of the African tribes used Strophanthus as the principal ingredient in arrow poison. Plants from this genus produce toxic alkaloids and cardiac glycosides g-strophanthin (syn. ouabain), k-strophanthin and e-strophanthin. As ordinarily administered, the drug acts on the heart before influencing any other organ or tissue. Often indeed no other action can be observed. It is used to produce the drug Ouabain which was taken as a cardiac stimulant to treat heart failure, and is similar to the drug Digoxin produced from Digitalis purpurea.

Species

2

formerly included in genus

• Strophanthus aambe = Papuechites aambe
• Strophanthus balansae = Anodendron paniculatum
• Strophanthus jackianus = Wrightia dubia

Notes and references

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: 

External links

• Strophanthus in West African plants – A Photo Guide.