Jan 9, 2013
Acokanthera
Acokanthera or as it’s commonly known as Bushman’s Poison is a genus in the apocynaceae family. Although native to Africa some species are also found in Yemen.
The bark, wood and roots of the plant is used as an important ingredient in arrow poison in Africa. All parts of the plant contain the deadly cardiotoxic glycoside ouabin making it a poisonous plant. Although poisonous the fruit is edible and is eaten as famine food. When ripe the fruit is sweet but also slightly bitter. The un-ripened fruit has caused accidental poisoning as they are highly toxic.