Acokanthera venenata
Encyclopedia
Acokanthera venenata (syn. Toxicophlaea thunbergii) is a shrub
used as the source of an arrow poison and to coat caltrop
s made from the sharp fruits of the puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris
). All three plants of the genus Acokanthera
contain toxic cardiac glycoside
s strong enough to cause death. This plant and other species of the genus are found in South Africa
and Abyssinia
.
Acokanthera schimperi
is employed for the same purpose.
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
used as the source of an arrow poison and to coat caltrop
Caltrop
A caltrop is an antipersonnel weapon made up of two or more sharp nails or spines arranged in such a manner that one of them always points upward from a stable base...
s made from the sharp fruits of the puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil...
). All three plants of the genus Acokanthera
Acokanthera
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....
contain toxic cardiac glycoside
Cardiac glycoside
Cardiac glycosides are drugs used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia. These glycosides are found as secondary metabolites in several plants, but also in some animals, such as the milkweed butterflies. -Function:...
s strong enough to cause death. This plant and other species of the genus are found in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Abyssinia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
.
Acokanthera schimperi
Acokanthera schimperi
Acokanthera schimperi , belonging to a family of Apocynaceae, is a small tree native to East Africa and Yemen.-Uses:...
is employed for the same purpose.