Loganiaceae FAMILY

Strychnos erichsonii

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

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. ]. The plant is highly favoured by the native people as a source of the toxin curare[ 630 Title Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 28 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass. Year 1981 ISBN Description An article on the Ethnopharmacological uses of plants in northwestern S. America, amongst many other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , 697 Title Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts. Year 1983 ISBN Description Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].

Botanical Description

Strychnos erichsonii is a vigorous climbing shrub, producing stems up to 60 metres long and 30cm in diameter. It can climb into the forest canopy, supporting itself 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. , 434 Title Flora of Peru Publication Author Macbride. J.F. Publisher Field Museum of Natural History Year 1936 ISBN Description An excellent attempt at a Flora of Peru, though it is clear that many of the plants were imperfectly known at that time and so information on them was sketchy. Available for download from the Internet. ]. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

HabitatRainforests[ 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. ].