Rauvolfia verticillata, the common devil pepper,[3] is a plant in the family Apocynaceae. The specific epithet verticillata means 'whorled' and refers to the plant's leaves.[4]
| Rauvolfia verticillata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Rauvolfia |
| Species: | R. verticillata
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| Binomial name | |
| Rauvolfia verticillata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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List
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Description
editRauvolfia verticillata grows as a shrub or small tree, up to 5 m (16 ft) tall. The bark is yellowish black or brown. Inflorescences bear up to 35 or more flowers. The flowers feature a white or pinkish corolla. The fruits are whitish purple when ripe, ovoid in shape, measuring up to 1.4 cm (0.6 in) long.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editRauvolfia verticillata is native to China, Taiwan and tropical Asia from India east to the Philippines. It grows in a variety of habitats, including forests and savannas, from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) altitude.[1][4]
Uses
editRauvolfia verticillata is used in traditional Chinese medicine, including as a treatment for snakebite, malaria, typhus and hypertension.[5] The root may be locally used as a sedative and the leaves are used in the treatment of wounds.[1]
Conservation
editRauvolfia verticillata has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by deforestation and by conversion of its habitat for agriculture and urban development. The species is present in a number of protected areas.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d de Kok, R. (2024). "Rauvolfia verticillata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024: e.T191069A1968877. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Taxonomy - Rauvolfia verticillata". UniProt. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- ^ a b c Middleton, David J. (September 2004). "Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill." (PDF). In Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 49–50. ISBN 983-2181-59-3. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
- ^ "Rauvolfia verticillata". eFloras. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
