Strophanthus preussii
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Strophanthus preussii (25433002894).jpg
| image_caption =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Strophanthus
| species = preussii
| authority = Engl. & Pax{{cite POWO |title=Strophanthus preussii Engl. & Pax |id=81938-1 |access-date=27 April 2025}}
| synonyms =
- Strophanthus bracteatus {{Au|Franch.}}
}}
Strophanthus preussii, the Preuss' strophanthus,{{PLANTS|id=STPR6|taxon=Strophanthus preussii|accessdate=4 December 2015}} is a plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae.
Description
Strophanthus preussii grows as an evergreen liana up to {{cvt|12|m|-1}} long or a shrub up to {{cvt|5|m}} tall, with a stem diameter up to {{cvt|2.5|cm|0}}. Its fragrant flowers feature a white to orange corolla, red-striped or spotted on the inside. The corollas have very long tails up to {{cvt|30|cm|0}} long.{{ cite book |last1= Everard | first1=Barbara | last2= Morley | first2= Brian D. | date= 1970 | title= Wild Flowers of the World | location= New York | publisher= G.P. Putnam's Sons | page= Plate 61 }} Other vernacular names for the plant include "spider tresses" and "poison arrow vine".{{cite book | title = Medicinal Plants | publisher = PROTA | year= 2008 | pages = 555–557 | isbn = 978-9-05782-204-9}}
Distribution and habitat
Strophanthus preussii is native to a wide area of tropical Africa, from Guinea in the west, east to Tanzania and south to Angola. Its habitat is forested areas from sea level to {{cvt|1400|m}} altitude.
Conservation
Strophanthus preussii has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. The species is broadly distributed and is not currently facing any major threats.
Uses
Traditional medicinal uses of Strophanthus preussii include treatment of gonorrhoea and healing of sores. The plant has also been used as arrow poison.
Gallery
File:Strophanthus preussii 135-8250.jpg|Coloured plate from Curtis's Botanical Magazine 1909
File:Strophanthus preussii (70150)a.jpg
File:Corkscrew Flower (Strophanthus preussii) 2.jpg
File:Corkscrew Flower (Strophanthus preussii).jpg
File:Kew Gardens - London - September 2008 (2955748916).jpg
References
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Category:Plants used in traditional African medicine
Category:Flora of West Tropical Africa
Category:Flora of West-Central Tropical Africa
Category:Flora of East Tropical Africa