Strophanthus preussii
Engl. & Pax.
Spider tresses
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Summary
Source: WikipediaStrophanthus preussii, the Preuss' strophanthus, is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.
Description
A creeper or climbing shrub. It can be a shrub 4 m high or a creeper 12 m long. The stems can be 2.5 cm across.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Traditional Uses
The young leaves are cooked and eaten. Caution: The seeds are poisonous.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The latex, or the young leaves crushed in water, are applied to treat gonorrhoea. The latex is put on sores and wounds to promote healing. A leaf decoction is taken to treat post-partum pain. Unlike the related species S. Gratus and S. Hispidus, the seeds of this species are not rich in cardiac glycosides.
Known Hazards
Traditional medicinal uses of Strophanthus preussii include treatment of gonorrhoea and healing of sores. The plant has also been used as arrow poison.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in deciduous and secondary forest. It needs a temperature above 25°C.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa,
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds are collected by opening the pod.
Propagation
Seed - Softwood cuttings.
Other Uses
The latex of the plant is used for coagulating the latex of Futumia elastica when making rubber. A fibre obtained from the stems is used to make fishing lines, nets and ropes. The stems are used to make bows.
Production
In Central African Republic plants flower in March.
Also Known As
Abepopo, Dietwa, Mamfoham
References (5)
- Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1. Kew.
- Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 565
- Harris, D. J., 2002, The vascular plants of the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic. National Botanic Garden of Belgium, 2002. – 274 pages p 54
- von Katja Rembold, 2011, Conservation status of the vascular plants in East African rain forests. Dissertation Universitat Koblenz-Landau p 182
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
