Strychnos decussata
Strychnos decussata, commonly known as the "Strychnine vine," is a climbing woody plant native to Southeast Asia. Highly valued in traditional medicine, it contains potent alkaloids used to treat various ailments. However, due to its extreme toxicity, it must be handled with profound caution and precise medicinal preparation.
- Scientific name: Strychnos decussata
- Family: Loganiaceae
- Native range: Africa
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 Gentianales, it is a member of the family Loganiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Strychnos.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Loganiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Strychnos | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Strychnos decussata, is referred to by several common names depending on the linguistic context. In Afrikaans, it is commonly called the Kaapse kiaat or Kaapse Kiaat.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| af | Kaapse kiaat | Wikidata |
| af | Kaapse Kiaat | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Somalia. Moving further south, it is found throughout East Tropical Africa, specifically in Kenya and Tanzania. The species also extends into South Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Malawi. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Mozambique.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Strychnos decussata, is a woody climber known for its various medicinal properties, which are primarily derived from its botanical components. Among its most significant parts used in traditional medicine is the stem bark, which is often harvested for its specific bioactive compounds. This bark is frequently processed to create decoctions or extracts used to treat various ailments, playing a crucial role in the plant's ethnobotanical profile.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Strychnos decussata has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-hydroxy-17-O-methylakagerine, 10-hydroxy-21-O-methylkribine, 10-hydroxyepi-21-O-methylkribine, akagerine.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 10-hydroxy-17-O-methylakagerine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 10-hydroxy-21-O-methylkribine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 10-hydroxyepi-21-O-methylkribine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| akagerine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Strychnos decussata has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include tuberculosis.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |