Loganiaceae FAMILY

Strychnos decussata

Edibility

2/5

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 bark and fruits are poisonous, especially when green[ 295 Title PlantZAfrica.com Publication Author Website http://www.plantzafrica.com Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants. ].

Botanical Description

Strychnos decussata is a small to medium tree with a dense, multi-stemmed crown; it can grow 3 - 12 metres tall[ 295 Title PlantZAfrica.com Publication Author Website http://www.plantzafrica.com Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants. ]. The bole can be 30 - 45cm in diameter[ 494 Title Report on the Natal Forests Publication Author Fourcade H.G. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Wm. ;, Natal Year 1889 ISBN Description Contains a list of the trees of Natal, with a brief listing of their uses, including many traditional uses. The report can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of timber.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeEastern Africa - Somalia to S. Africa.

HabitatRocky slopes and on stream banks[ 295 Title PlantZAfrica.com Publication Author Website http://www.plantzafrica.com Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants. ]. In woodlands, often near rocks, sometimes on river banks[ 308 Title Flora Zambesiaca Publication Author Website http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants. ]. In Madagascar it is often found in dry forests and bushes on limestone[ 308 Title Flora Zambesiaca Publication Author Website http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants. ].