Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ACOKANTHERA SCHIMPERI
Botanical Name
—
Acocanthera schimperi
Benth. & Hok
Synonyms —
A. oubaio
,
A. abyssinica
K. Schum.,
A. deflersii
Schweinf. ex Lewin
., A. friesio-
rum
Markgr.,
A. scabra
Schweinf. ex Markgr.,
Arduina schimperi
(A. DC.) Baill
., Carissa deflersii
(Schweinf. Ex Lewin) Pichon.,
Carissa friesiorum
(Markgr.) Cufod.,
Carissa inepta
Perrot & Vogt.,
Carissa schimperi
A.DC.
Family —
Apocynaceae
Common Name —
Acokanthera
Description —
This is
an evergreen tree or shrub, growing up to 6 m in height. The leaves are
elliptic, with sharply cuspidate apex and acute base; they are ceraceous, shiny, and smooth above.
The leaves, 11 by 4.5 cm, display 7-13 lateral nerves on each side, with prominent venation showing
on both surfaces. The flowers are pink colored, up to 1.5 cm long in short, dense, axillary cymes.
Habitat and Distribution —
The plant occurs in both savanna and rainforest vegetation. It
grows in Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire, and parts of East Africa.
Ethnomedicinal Uses —
Acokanthera
is the primary source of the dreaded African arrow
poisons, which are considered so dangerous that even minute quantities transmitted through small
injuries by the arrow prick could lead to fatal cardiac arrest within a few minutes of reaching the
bloodstream.
Strophanthus
species are employed as adjuncts or alternative ingredients in the prepa-
ration of the arrow poisons.
Acokanthera
species are generally unavailable, and they are not consid-
ered an economical source of the pharmacologically important cardiotonic ouabain. In traditional
African medicinal practice, the most important species are
A.
schimperi
,
A. venanta
G. Don, and
A. longiflora.
. Githens
48
listed the species for the treatment of snakebite and tapeworm infestation.
Constituents —
The wood of African
Acokanthera
species yields very potent cardiotonics,
of which the principal compound is ouabain. Other constituents of
Acokanthera
species include G
strophanthin, acokantherin, and acovenoside A, B, and C. The seeds of the closely related species
Carissa acokanthera
yield similar glycosides. Pichon has suggested that the plant should be treated
as a section of the genus
Carissa
.
49
ADANSONIA DIGITATA
Botanical Name —
Adansonia digitata
Linn.
