Loranthaceae FAMILY

Strychnos tomentosa

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & 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[ 500 Title Flora of Somalia Publication Author Thulin M. (Editor) Publisher Kew Publishing, London. Year 1993 ISBN Description Detailed information on the plants of the region, often adding notes on the plants uses. ].

Botanical Description

Strychnos tomentosa is a climbing shrub producing stems up to 30 metres long that climb into the surrounding vegetation, supporting themselves by means of tendrils[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana.

HabitatUpland rainforests. It is often found growing into the emergent tree Buchanavia capitata, probably because spider monkeys (who commonly eat the fruit of Strychnos tomentosa) like to sleep in Buchanavia capitata and drop their faeces there[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ].