Rauwolfia

Rauwolfia (also known as Rauvolfia) is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, commonly known as snakeroot or serpentwood. The genus is named after the German doctor and botanist Leonhard Rauwolf. The plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Description

Rauwolfia plants are evergreen trees and shrubs that can grow up to 9 meters in height. The leaves are simple, with an entire margin, and arranged in whorls of three. The flowers are tubular, with a white, pink, or red color. The fruit is a drupe containing numerous seeds.

Uses

Rauwolfia has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The roots of the plant contain alkaloids that have been used to treat a variety of conditions, including high blood pressure, insomnia, and certain mental disorders. The most well-known of these alkaloids is reserpine, which was one of the first drugs used to treat hypertension.

Species

There are approximately 60 species in the Rauwolfia genus. Some of the most well-known species include:

• Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian Snakeroot)
• Rauwolfia vomitoria (Poison Devil's-pepper)
• Rauwolfia tetraphylla (Be Still Tree)

See also

• List of plants used in herbalism
• List of garden plants

Rauwolfia Resources
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