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Acokanthera oppositifolia (Acokanthera oppositifolia)

Description

Acokanthera oppositifolia is a shrub used as the source of an arrow poison and to coat caltrops made from the sharp fruits of the puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris). All plants of the genus Acokanthera contain toxic cardiac glycosides strong enough to cause death. Acokanthera oppositifolia is widespread in southern and central Africa from Cape Province north to Zaire + Tanzania.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum:

        • Class: Magnoliopsida

          • Order: Gentianales

            • Family: Apocynaceae

              • Genus: Acokanthera