Biology:Rauvolfia verticillata

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Short description: Species of plant

Rauvolfia verticillata
Rauvolfia verticillata 23.JPG
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Rauvolfia
Species:
R. verticillata
Binomial name
Rauvolfia verticillata
(Lour.) Baill.
Synonyms[1]

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

  1. "Rauvolfia verticillata". The Plant List. http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-176992. Retrieved 9 August 2013. 
  2. "Taxonomy - Rauvolfia verticillata". UniProt. https://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/329875. Retrieved 13 June 2018. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Middleton, David J. (September 2004). "Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill.". in Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K.. Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 49–50. ISBN 983-2181-59-3. http://www.chm.frim.gov.my/backup/TFSS.vol4_5_6.pdf. Retrieved 9 August 2013. 
  4. "Rauvolfia verticillata". eFloras. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200018456. Retrieved 9 August 2013. 


Wikidata ☰ Q14861850 entry