Acokanthera

Acokanthera
Poison arrow plant (Acokanthera oblongifolia)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Acokanthera
G.Don
Species

Acokanthera laevigata
Acokanthera oblongifolia
Acokanthera oppositifolia
Acokanthera rotundata
Acokanthera schimperi
Acokanthera venenata

Acokanthera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It comprises 5 species and is generally restricted to Africa, although Acokanthera schimperi also occurs in Yemen. Its sap contains deadly cardiotoxic glycosides. The sap is among the most commonly used in arrow poisons.[1] [2]

References

  1. ^ Gould, George M. (1905). Dictionary of New Medical Terms. London: Bailliere Tindall & Cox. pp. 36. http://books.google.com/books?id=v6BFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA36&dq=poison&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=ujvWSo3kNIWyNsGR_fYO#v=onepage&q=poison&f=false. 
  2. ^ Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors), 2008. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 11(1). Medicinal plants 1. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen, Netherlands / Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands / CTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. 791 pp.