Rank Species | Genus Acokanthera Higher classification Acokanthera | |
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Similar Acokanthera, Aconitum ferox, Acokanthera oppositifolia, Apocynaceae, Maned rat | ||
Acokanthera schimperi, belonging to the family Apocynaceae, is a small tree native to eastern and central Africa as well as to Yemen.
Contents
Uses
The bark, wood and roots of Acokanthera schimperi are used as an important ingredient of arrow poison in Africa. All plant parts contain acovenoside A and ouabaïne, which are cardiotonic glycosides. Its fruit is edible, and is eaten as a famine food. When ripe they are sweet but also slightly bitter. Unripe fruits have caused accidental poisoning as they are highly toxic.
The maned rat spreads the plant's poison on its fur and becomes poisonous.
It is also used in traditional African medicine.
Geographic distribution
Acokanthera schimperi is native to Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and DR Congo. It is the only species in the genus that also occurs outside Africa, in southern Yemen.