Strophanthus gratus

Strophanthus gratus is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

Strophanthus gratus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Strophanthus
Species:	S. gratus
Binomial name
Strophanthus gratus (Wall. and Hook.) Baill.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Roupellia grata Wall. & Hook. Roupalia grata (Wall. & Hook.) T.Moore & Ayres Strophanthus stanleyanus Hook. Strophanthus glaber Cornu ex Holmes Nerium guineense Brongn. ex Perrot & Vogt Strophanthus chopraie M.R.Almeida

Description

Strophanthus gratus is a woody liana that can grow up to 25 metres (80 ft), with a trunk diameter of up to 10 centimetres (4 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white corolla, topped by red or purple colour, with pink corona lobes.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Strophanthus gratus is native to tropical Africa: from Senegal in the west, east and south to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is naturalized in Taiwan and also Trinidad and Tobago.^[1]

Uses

Strophanthus gratus has been used in local traditional medicine: ouabain derived from the plant's seeds is used as a treatment for heart failure. It has also been used as arrow poison.^[2]