Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Gentianales
Genus:
Species:
serpentina
ID:
295842

Status:
valid

Authors:
Benth. ex Kurz

Source:
wcs

Year:
1877

Citation Micro:
Forest Fl. Burma 2: 171 (1877)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000295174

Common Names

  • Indian Snake Root
  • Serpentine Rauvolfia
  • Vomiting Tree

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Synonyms

  • Ophioxylon album Gaertn. [unknown]
  • Ophioxylon obversum Miq. [unknown]
  • Ophioxylon salutiferum Salisb. [unknown]
  • Ophioxylon serpentinum L. [unknown]
  • Ophioxylon trifoliatum Gaertn. [unknown]
  • Rauvolfia obversa Baill. [unknown]
  • Rauvolfia trifoliata Baill. [unknown]
  • Rauvolfia serpentina obversa (Miq.) Bakh.f. [unknown]

Description

Rauvolfia serpentina (also called Indian Snakeroot, among many other common names) is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 8 meters tall. It is native to tropical regions of South and Central Asia, and is found in wet forests and along riverbanks. It has large, leathery leaves and produces small, white flowers.

Uses & Benefits

Rauvolfia serpentina is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, malaria, and hypertension. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Rauvolfia serpentina flowers are small, white and fragrant. The seeds are small, brown and round. Seedlings have small, oval shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Rauvolfia serpentina is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that can reach up to 4 m in height. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil and full sun to partial shade. Propagation is usually done by cuttings or seed. Cuttings should be taken from semi-hardwood and planted in a well-draining medium. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining medium and kept moist until germination occurs.

Where to Find Rauvolfia serpentina

Rauvolfia serpentina can be found in the Caribbean and Central America.

Rauvolfia serpentina FAQ

What is the scientific name of Rauvolfia serpentina?

Rauvolfia serpentina

What is the common name of Rauvolfia serpentina?

Serpentine snakeroot

What is the natural habitat of Rauvolfia serpentina?

Rauvolfia serpentina is native to India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka

Species in the Rauvolfia genus

Rauvolfia amsoniifolia, Rauvolfia andina, Rauvolfia aphlebia, Rauvolfia bahiensis, Rauvolfia balansae, Rauvolfia biauriculata, Rauvolfia caffra, Rauvolfia cambodiana, Rauvolfia capuronii, Rauvolfia chaudocensis, Rauvolfia cubana, Rauvolfia decurva, Rauvolfia dichotoma, Rauvolfia grandiflora, Rauvolfia hookeri, Rauvolfia insularis, Rauvolfia ivanovii, Rauvolfia javanica, Rauvolfia kamarora, Rauvolfia leptophylla, Rauvolfia letouzeyi, Rauvolfia ligustrina, Rauvolfia linearifolia, Rauvolfia littoralis, Rauvolfia mannii, Rauvolfia mattfeldiana, Rauvolfia maxima, Rauvolfia media, Rauvolfia micrantha, Rauvolfia microcarpa, Rauvolfia moluccana, Rauvolfia mombasiana, Rauvolfia moricandii, Rauvolfia nana, Rauvolfia nitida, Rauvolfia obtusiflora, Rauvolfia oligantha, Rauvolfia pachyphylla, Rauvolfia paraensis, Rauvolfia paucifolia, Rauvolfia pentaphylla, Rauvolfia polyphylla, Rauvolfia praecox, Rauvolfia purpurascens, Rauvolfia rhonhofiae, Rauvolfia rivularis, Rauvolfia rostrata, Rauvolfia sachetiae, Rauvolfia salicifolia, Rauvolfia sanctorum,

Species in the Apocynaceae family

Acokanthera laevigata, Acokanthera oblongifolia, Acokanthera oppositifolia, Acokanthera rotundata, Acokanthera schimperi, Adenium boehmianum, Adenium multiflorum, Adenium obesum, Adenium oleifolium, Adenium swazicum, Adenium dhofarense, Aganosma breviloba, Aganosma cymosa, Aganosma gracilis, Aganosma lacei, Aganosma petelotii, Aganosma schlechteriana, Aganosma siamensis, Aganosma wallichii, Aganosma heynei, Alafia alba, Alafia barteri, Alafia benthamii, Alafia berrieri, Alafia calophylla, Alafia caudata, Alafia erythrophthalma, Alafia falcata, Alafia fuscata, Alafia insularis, Alafia intermedia, Alafia landolphioides, Alafia lucida, Alafia microstylis, Alafia multiflora, Alafia nigrescens, Alafia orientalis, Alafia parciflora, Alafia pauciflora, Alafia perrieri, Alafia schumannii, Alafia thouarsii, Alafia vallium, Alafia verschuereni, Alafia whytei, Alafia zambesiaca, Allamanda calcicola, Allamanda angustifolia, Allamanda blanchetii, Allamanda cathartica,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-176968: Based on the initial data import
George Bentham (1800-1884): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Benth.' in the authors string.
Wilhelm Sulpiz Kurz (1834-1878): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Kurz' in the authors string.