African serpentwood
Rauvolfia vomitoria · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Extensive (154 studies) · ★★★★☆
African serpentwood, scientifically known as Rauvolfia vomitoria, is a medicinal shrub native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its potent alkaloids, particularly reserpine, it has been used traditionally to treat hypertension and mental disorders. This plant serves as a vital botanical resource in both ethnobotany and modern pharmacology.
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- African serpentwood
- African snakeroot
- poison devil-pepper
- swizzle-stick-tree
- poison devil's-pepper
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Rauvolfia vomitoriaSynonyms
- Rauvolfia senegambiae
- Rauvolfia pleiosiadica
- Rauvolfia stuhlmannii
- Rauvolfia congolana
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Brech-Teufelspfeffer
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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rauvolfia.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Rauvolfia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this specific zone, its presence is documented in the nation of Benin. It is also found inhabiting the landscapes of Burkina. Furthermore, the species can be located throughout Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range extends into the country of Guinea.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Botanical Identification
Life history
The life history of Rauvolfia vomitoria is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habits and ecological positioning, it exhibits a life form classified as a phanerophyte, as it maintains its buds well above the ground level. Additionally, within certain ecological contexts or developmental stages, its growth architecture can be described as a nanophanerophyte.
- Life form :
- nanophanerophyte
- Life form :
- phanerophyte
- Lifecycle :
- perennial
Morphology
The morphology of Rauvolfia vomitoria is characterized by its woody structure, exhibiting a growth form that can manifest as both a shrub and a tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite. In terms of its physical stature, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial. The plant displays significant vertical development, with a mean height of approximately 12.5 m and a maximum recorded height reaching up to 15.24 m.
- Aquatic :
- terrestrial
- Climber :
- self-supporting
- Epiphyte :
- terrestrial
- Growth form :
- tree
- Growth form :
- shrub
- Parasite :
- independent
- Plant height max:
- 15.24018532 m
- Plant height mean:
- 12.5 m
- Woodiness :
- woody
Physiology
The physiology of Rauvolfia vomitoria is characterized by distinct morphological variations in its foliage and specific metabolic capabilities. The leaf dimensions exhibit significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, although the mean leaf length is recorded at 14.5 cm. Similarly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 6 cm, maintaining a mean width of 4.75 cm. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant possesses the physiological capacity for nitrogen fixation, identified as a nitrogen fixer.
- Leaf length max:
- 12 cm
- Leaf length mean:
- 14.5 cm
- Leaf length min:
- 5 cm
- Leaf width max:
- 6 cm
- Leaf width mean:
- 4.75 cm
- Leaf width min:
- 3 cm
- Nitrogen fixer :
- yes
Reproduction
The reproduction of Rauvolfia vomitoria is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the process. The flowering cycle is variable throughout the year, though it shows specific activity patterns with a flowering period that can be observed around March. Following successful pollination, the fruiting stage begins around June and typically concludes in July. The seeds produced during this reproductive cycle are relatively small and uniform, possessing a mean seed mass of 0.03562 g (with minimum, maximum, and mean values all recorded at 0.03562 g). Morphologically, the seeds exhibit a mean length of 14.7 mm, a maximum width of 6.4 mm, and a maximum height of 3.1 mm.
- Flowering time :
- Mar
- Fruiting time :
- Jun
- Fruiting time :
- Jul
- Pollination syndrome :
- insect
- Pollination syndrome :
- bee
- Pollination syndrome :
- biotic
- Seed height max:
- 3.1 mm
- Seed length mean:
- 14.7 mm
- Seed mass mean:
- 0.03562 g
- Seed width max:
- 6.4 mm
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Plant Parts
Rauvolfia vomitoria has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Leaf
- Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria
- Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
Root
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Chemicals
Rauvolfia vomitoria has 35 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ajmalicine, Flavonoids, Yohimbine, ajmaline, reserpine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Ajmalicine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Yohimbine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ajmaline | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| reserpine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ALSTONINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthocyanins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aricine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Carapanaubine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ISOAJMALINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Ajmalicine
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of separation science
Flavonoids
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
- Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
Yohimbine
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of separation science
ajmaline
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of separation science
reserpine
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of separation science
ALSTONINE
- Dr. Duke
Anthocyanins
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Aricine
- Dr. Duke
Carapanaubine
- Dr. Duke
ISOAJMALINE
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Rauvolfia vomitoria has 100 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, (-)-Chronotropic, Abortifacient.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anticonvulsant | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Chronotropic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenergic-Blocker | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenolytic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Amebicide | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anesthetic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Anticonvulsant
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Antiinflammatory
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Antioxidant
- Dr. Duke
- Tropical medicine and health
(-)-Chronotropic
- Dr. Duke
Abortifacient
- Dr. Duke
Adrenergic-Blocker
- Dr. Duke
Adrenolytic
- Dr. Duke
Allergenic
- Dr. Duke
Amebicide
- Dr. Duke
Anesthetic
- Dr. Duke
Medicinal Uses
Rauvolfia vomitoria has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, malaria, psychosis, rheumatoid arthritis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | Journal of separation science (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| psychosis | Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Asofeyeje (Root) | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ghanaian antiarthritic herbal preparation | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| encapsulated in alginate beads | Natural product communications (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tea | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |