arrow-poison

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• arrow-poison
• poison arrowvine
• spider-tresses
• strophanthus

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strophanthus punctifer
• Strophanthus sarmentosus var. glabriflorus
• Strophanthus pendulus
• Strophanthus ogovensis
• Strophanthus paroissei
• Strophanthus glabriflorus
• Strophanthus laurifolius
• Strophanthus senegambiae

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement within the genus Strophantus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in Benin, where it grows within local ecosystems. It is also found in Burkina, contributing to the biodiversity of that area. Furthermore, the species can be located in Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical range extends to Guinea-Bissau, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Strophantus sarmentosus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival through multiple growing seasons. Classified as a phanerophyte, its buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a trait consistent with both its primary life form classification and its specific phanerophyte designation. This species exhibits a deciduous habit, meaning it undergoes a period of leaf shedding, typically in response to seasonal changes or environmental stressors, before entering a new cycle of growth.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strophantus sarmentosus is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that functions as an obligatory liana. This climbing plant exhibits a terrestrial habit and grows independently, without acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 6.096 meters, with an average plant height recorded at 25 meters, reflecting its significant structural presence within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6.096074128 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Strophantus sarmentosus is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and metabolic constraints regarding nutrient acquisition. The foliage exhibits a distinct range of development, with leaf lengths typically averaging 3 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. The width of the leaves follows a similar distribution, maintaining a mean of 2 cm, with individual leaf widths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. In terms of its metabolic nitrogen cycle, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, indicating that it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing processes.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Strophanthus sarmentosus is characterized by a highly flexible flowering phenology and specific seed characteristics. The flowering period for this species is notably variable, with the potential to initiate and conclude its blooming cycle at any point throughout the year, spanning from January through December. In terms of its reproductive output, the seeds produced are extremely uniform in size and weight; the seed mass remains constant with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at approximately 0.02079 g. This consistency in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized mechanism in the development of its progeny during the reproductive phase.

Flowering time :

Jan

Seed mass mean:

0.02079 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Strophanthus sarmentosus has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardenolides, Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins.

Cardenolides

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ouabain

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Strophanthus sarmentosus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include snakebites.

Snakebites

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)