RARE Bushman's Poison Arrow Plant Seeds (Acokanthera oppositifolia)

Acokanthera oppositifolia Seeds

Bushman's Poison Arrow Plant

Common names: Bushman's Poison; Boesmansgif (Afrikaans)

Family: Apocynaceae

The Bushman's poison is a medium to large woody shrub with attractive hard dark green leaves. Clusters of pinkish white, sweetly scented flowers are borne in late winter and spring and are followed by large plum coloured berry-like fruits which are relished by birds. The name Acokanthera is derived from the Greek and refers to the sharp anthers of the flowers. The species name refers to the opposite arrangement of the leaves.

Usually found growing in the shade of other vegetation on forest margins woodland and bush clumps, this species is widespread over many parts of the country with the exception of the drier parts.

The milky sap of this plant was widely used by the traditional bushmen (Khoisan) to form part of the cocktail used to poison the tips of their notoriously toxic arrows in hunting. All parts of the plant are highly poisonous with the possible exception of the ripe fruits. This plant is used medicinally to treat snake & spider bites, intestinal worms and also for aches and colds.