| Acokanthera schimperi | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Acokanthera |
| Species: | A. schimperi |
| Binomial name | |
| Acokanthera schimperi (A.DC.) Schweinf. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Acokanthera abyssinica K.Schum. |
|
Acokanthera schimperi (syn. Acokanthera abyssinica, Acokanthera ouabaio[1], Carissa schimperi[2]), belonging to a family of Apocynaceae, is a small tree native to East Africa and Yemen.
Contents |
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.[3]
The Maned Rat spreads the plant's poison on its fur and becomes poisonous.[4]
Acokanthera schimperi occurs in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and DR Congo. It is the only species that also occurs outside Africa, in southern Yemen.[5]