arrow-poison-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• arrow-poison-tree
• common-poisonbush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Carissa schimperi
• Acokanthera schimperi var. ouabaio
• Carissa friesiorum
• Arduina schimperi
• Carissa inepta
• Acokanthera ouabaio
• Carissa deflersii
• Acokanthera deflersii
• Acokanthera friesiorum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Acokanthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the east, its range extends into Northeast Tropical Africa. Within this northeastern region, the species is documented in Djibouti and Eritrea. Finally, its presence is also confirmed in the highland landscapes of Ethiopia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Acokanthera schimperi is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree. Its foliage remains evergreen, ensuring a continuous presence of photosynthetic tissue throughout the year. Furthermore, its structural classification includes traits of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific growth habit and stature within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acokanthera schimperi is characterized by a woody growth habit that can manifest as both a tree and a shrub. This species typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 9 meters. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and maintains a terrestrial life form rather than being an epiphyte. In terms of its structural support, the plant is classified as self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on other structures to climb.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acokanthera schimperi is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered on the synthesis and sequestration of highly potent cardiac glycosides, which serve as a sophisticated chemical defense mechanism against herbivory. Its metabolic pathways are specialized for the production of toxic secondary metabolites, primarily ouabain, which act by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cellular membranes. From a nutritional standpoint, the plant does not engage in symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to facilitate atmospheric nitrogen conversion; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. This lack of nitrogen-fixing capability means the plant relies entirely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to support its protein synthesis and overall growth. Its physiological functions are optimized for survival in specific ecological niches where the management of nitrogen resources and the deployment of chemical deterrents are critical for maintaining metabolic homeostasis and deterring predation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acokanthera schimperi is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated through interactions with animal vectors. Specifically, the plant relies on insects for pollination, with bees identified as a key functional group in the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit significant morphological variation in weight. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.0203 g to a maximum of 0.167 g, with an average seed mass measured at approximately 0.09365 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.167 g

Seed mass mean:

0.09365 g

Seed mass min:

0.0203 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Acokanthera schimperi has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acolongifloroside G, Acolongifloroside H, Acovenoside A, Flavonoids, Sulfur Compounds.

Acolongifloroside G

1. Dr. Duke

Acolongifloroside H

1. Dr. Duke

Acovenoside A

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. BMC plant biology

Sulfur Compounds

1. BMC plant biology

Tannins

1. BMC plant biology

ouabain

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Acokanthera schimperi has 9 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiarrhythmic, Anticarcinomic, Antiproliferative, Antiviral, Cardioactive.

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiproliferative

1. Fitoterapia

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Cardioactive

1. Dr. Duke

Cardiotonic

1. Dr. Duke

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke

Emetic

1. Dr. Duke

Memorilytic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Acokanthera schimperi has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus niger, cancer, influenza A virus, trypanosomes.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations