| Rauvolfia verticillata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Rauvolfia |
| Species: | R. verticillata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rauvolfia verticillata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
List
| |
Rauvolfia verticillata, the common devil pepper,[2] is a plant in the family Apocynaceae. The specific epithet verticillata means "whorled" and refers to the plant's leaves.[3]
Description
Rauvolfia verticillata grows as a shrub up to 5 metres (20 ft) tall. The bark is yellowish black or brown. Inflorescences bear up to 35 or more flowers. The flowers feature a white or pinkish corolla. The fruits are whitish purple when ripe, ovoid, up to 1.4 cm (1 in) long.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Rauvolfia verticillata is native to China and tropical Asia from India to the Philippines. It grows in a variety of habitats, from sea-level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) altitude.[3]
Uses
Rauvolfia verticillata is used in traditional Chinese medicine, including as a treatment for snakebite, malaria, typhus and hypertension.[4]
References
- ^ "Rauvolfia verticillata". The Plant List. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
- ^ "Taxonomy - Rauvolfia verticillata". UniProt. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- ^ a b c Middleton, David J. (September 2004). "Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill." (PDF). In Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 49–50. ISBN 983-2181-59-3. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
- ^ "Rauvolfia verticillata". eFloras. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
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This page was last edited on 4 March 2021, at 15:53