Strychnos tomentosa
Benth.
Devildoer
gbif· cc-by-nc
Field Museum of Natural History - Botany Department | GDI 2013-2015
gbif· cc-by-nc
Rapid Reference Collection (RRC) | Field Museum of Natural History - Keller Science Action Center
gbif· cc-by-nc
Field Museum of Natural History - Botany Department | GDI 2013-2015
Description
A creeper. The stems can be 30 m long. It has tendrils that enable it to climb into surrounding vegetation. The stems are 12 cm across. The leaves are 1-4 cm wide. They are densely hairy underneath. The fruit are greenish-yellow and turn black. They are round and 8-10 cm across.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. The pulp has a pleasant odour and taste. The greenish-yellow to almost black, globose fruit is 8 - 10cm in diameter with a corky case.
Known Hazards
Various parts of Strychnos plants, especially the seeds and bark, contain toxic alkaloids such as strychnine and brucine. The fleshy pulp of the ripe fruits, however, is often edible.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Amazon, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, South America, Suriname,
Also Known As
Apotai, Kwabanaro
References (1)
- Ferns, Useful Tropical Plants
