Strophanthus petersianus

Familia: Apocynaceae
Subfamilia: Apocynoideae
Tribus: Nerieae
Subtribus: Alafiinae
Genus: Strophanthus
Species:

Strophanthus petersianus Klotzsch The name 'petersianus' is after Wilhelm Carl Hartwig Peter (1815-1883), a German Zoologist who collected plants and animals in Mozambique (1843-1847).

• W. C. H. Peters, Naturw. Reise Mossambique 6(1):276. 1861
• USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Strophanthus petersianus in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

S. petersianus has been known to be used as a toxin for poison arrows by native tribes and in South Africa, the traditional Zulu people of current Kwa-Zulu Natal used it as a charm against evil.

Beautiful wildflowers bloom between October to January (The South African populations). The species is whitish in the inside and red to purple on the outside with 90-205mm elegant long tails dangling off the petals. Flower corolla tube cup-shaped. Leaves opposite with conspicuous venation.