African serpentwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African serpentwood
• African snakeroot
• poison devil-pepper
• swizzle-stick-tree
• poison devil's-pepper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rauvolfia senegambiae
• Rauvolfia pleiosiadica
• Rauvolfia stuhlmannii
• Rauvolfia congolana

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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the 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.

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.

Leaf

1. Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria
2. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Root

1. 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.

Ajmalicine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Yohimbine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

ajmaline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

reserpine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

ALSTONINE

1. Dr. Duke

Anthocyanins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aricine

1. Dr. Duke

Carapanaubine

1. Dr. Duke

ISOAJMALINE

1. 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.

Anticonvulsant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Tropical medicine and health

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenergic-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. 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

Preparations