''Rauvolfia vomitoria'', the poison devil's-pepper, is a plant species in the genus ''
Rauvolfia
''Rauvolfia'' (sometimes spelled ''Rauwolfia'') is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, commonly known as devil peppers, in the family Apocynaceae. The genus is named to honor Leonhard Rauwolf. The genus can mainly be found in tropical regi ...
''. It is native from
Senegal east to
Sudan
Sudan ( or ; ar, السودان, as-Sūdān, officially the Republic of the Sudan ( ar, جمهورية السودان, link=no, Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān), is a country in Northeast Africa. It shares borders with the Central African Republic t ...
and
Tanzania, south to
Angola; and naturalized in
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
,
Bangladesh, different ranges of
Himalayan and
Puerto Rico. The plant contains a number of compounds of interest to the pharmaceutical industry and is widely used in
traditional medicine.
Description
''Rauvolfia vomitoria'' is a small tree or large shrub, growing to high. The branches grow in whorls, and the leaves grow from swollen nodes in groups of three. The leaf blades are broadly lanceolate or elliptical, tapering to a long point. The small, fragrant flowers are followed by globular red fruit. All parts of the plant, except the mature wood, contain
latex.
[
]
Ecology
This is a fast-growing tree that produces large quantities of seeds which are dispersed by birds. The seedlings and saplings are tolerant of shade and the tree regenerates after cutting or burning, soon forming dense thickets.[
''Rauvolfia vomitoria'' has been identified as an ]invasive species
An invasive species otherwise known as an alien is an introduced organism that becomes overpopulated and harms its new environment. Although most introduced species are neutral or beneficial with respect to other species, invasive species ad ...
in the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Uses
''Rauvolfia vomitoria'' has been used across its range in traditional medicine.[ A decoction or extract of the roots is used for diarrhea, jaundice, venereal disease, rheumatism, snake-bites, colic, fever, to calm people with anxiety or epilepsy, and to lower blood pressure. The macerated root, or sometimes the pulped fruit, is used for a variety of skin conditions, and the bark, twigs, and leaves are used as a purgative and emetic.][
The plant contains a number of chemical compounds used by the pharmaceutical industry; these include ]reserpine
Reserpine is a drug that is used for the treatment of high blood pressure, usually in combination with a thiazide diuretic or vasodilator. Large clinical trials have shown that combined treatment with reserpine plus a thiazide diuretic reduces m ...
, reserpinine, deserpidine, ajmalicine, and ajmaline
Ajmaline (also known by trade names Gilurytmal, Ritmos, and Aritmina) is an alkaloid that is classified as a 1-A antiarrhythmic agent. It is often used to induce arrhythmic contraction in patients suspected of having Brugada syndrome. Individuals ...
. In the 1970s, the bark from stems and roots was harvested from which reserpine was extracted and sold for human use. Reserpine is still available, but has been largely replaced by less toxic products.2,6-Dimethoxybenzoquinone
2,6-Dimethoxybenzoquinone (2,6-DMBQ) is a chemical compound, classified as a benzoquinone, that has been found in ''Rauvolfia vomitoria'' and in ''Tibouchina pulchra''.
Toxicity
At physiological concentrations 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone is an anti ...
is a benzoquinone found in ''R. vomitoria''.
References
External links
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5225969
vomitora
Plants described in 1817
Flora of Africa