Strophanthus speciosus (Ward & Harv.) Reber

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Strophanthus speciosus

Photo: Bart Wursten
National Botanic Gardens, Harare

Strophanthus speciosus

Photo: Bart Wursten
National Botanic Gardens, Harare

Strophanthus speciosus

Photo: Bart Wursten
Forest at Genaina Lodge below Castle Beacon, Vumba

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Synonyms: Christya speciosa Ward & Harvey
Strophanthus capensis A. DC.
Common names: Forest poison rope (English)
Frequency: Local
Status: Native
Description:
A scrambling shrub or strong woody vine. Leaves in whorls of three, narrowly elliptic or oblanceolate, glossy green above, dull and paler below. Flowers in clusters at the ends of branches, the long, twisted corolla lobes pale yellow, reddish brown towards the base. The fruit is a two-horned pod.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: speciosus: showy, good-looking
Habitat: Evergreen forest and forested ravines.
Altitude range: (metres) 900 - 1800 m
Flowering time:Sep - Oct
Worldwide distribution: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini.
Zimbabwe distribution: C,E
Growth form(s): Climber, liane, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Wednesday 9 June 2021
Literature:

Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 813. (Includes a picture).

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 53.

Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 270.

Leeuwenberg, A.J.M. & Kupicha, F.K. et al. (1985). Apocynaceae Flora Zambesiaca 7(2) Pages 478 - 479.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 19.


Other sources of information about Strophanthus speciosus:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Strophanthus speciosus
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Strophanthus speciosus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Strophanthus speciosus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Strophanthus speciosus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Strophanthus speciosus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Strophanthus speciosus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Strophanthus speciosus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Strophanthus speciosus
JSTOR Plant Science: Strophanthus speciosus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Strophanthus speciosus
Plants of the World Online: Strophanthus speciosus
Tropicos: Strophanthus speciosus
Wikipedia: Strophanthus speciosus


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Strophanthus speciosus.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=145230, retrieved 19 March 2024

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