Acokanthera
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Acokanthera
A genus of the plant family Apocynaceae used in Africa in the preparation of arrow poisons. Poisoned livestock show diarrhea, irregular heartbeat and sudden death. Contain cardiac glycosides. Includes A. longiflora, A. oblongifolia, A. oppositifolia, A. schimperi, A. spectabilis (A. oblongifolia), A. venenata (A. oppositifolia). Some species were formerly classified in Carissa spp.
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Acokanthera
| Acokanthera | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Poison arrow plant (Acokanthera oblongifolia) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Acokanthera G.Don |
| Species | |
|
Acokanthera laevigata |
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Acokanthera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It comprises 5 species and is generally restricted to Africa, although Acokanthera schimperi also occurs in Yemen. Its sap contains deadly cardiotoxic glycosides. The sap is among the most commonly used in arrow poisons.[1] [2]
References
- ^ Gould, George M. (1905). Dictionary of New Medical Terms. London: Bailliere Tindall & Cox. pp. 36. http://books.google.com/books?id=v6BFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA36&dq=poison&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=ujvWSo3kNIWyNsGR_fYO#v=onepage&q=poison&f=false.
- ^ Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors), 2008. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 11(1). Medicinal plants 1. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen, Netherlands / Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands / CTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. 791 pp.
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Saunders Veterinary Dictionary
Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.
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