Rauvolfia tetraphylla

Rauvolfia tetraphylla is a plant in the family Apocynaceae, growing as a bush or small tree. It is commonly known as the be still tree[2] or devil-pepper. The plant is native to Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and northern South America. It has been cultivated widely as both an ornamental and for use in traditional medicine. It is now naturalized throughout the tropics including Australasia, Indochina, and India.

Rauvolfia tetraphylla plant captured in West Bengal, India.
Flower and fruits in West Bengal, India.
A tiny white flower of Rauvolfia tetraphylla
Fruits of devil-pepper (Rauvolfia tetraphylla) in West Bengal, India.
Close-up of fruits

Rauvolfia tetraphylla
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Rauvolfia
Species:
R. tetraphylla
Binomial name
Rauvolfia tetraphylla
Synonyms[1]
  • Rauvolfia canescens L.
  • Rauvolfia heterophylla Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.
  • Rauvolfia hirsuta Jacq.
  • Rauvolfia latifolia var. minor Müll.Arg.
  • Rauvolfia odontophora Van Heurck & Müll.Arg.
  • Rauvolfia subpubescens L.
  • Rauvolfia tomentosa Jacq.

Rauvolfia tetraphylla fruits are called devil-peppers and hold an important position in the Indian traditional system of medicine. The plant has various significances and it is widely used by South Indian tribes.

Asima Chatterjee initiated chemical investigation of alkaloids in Rauvolfia tetraphylla then known as Rauwolfia canescens. Indole alkaloids including serpentine, reserpine, serpentinine, and other Rauwolfia alkaloids were identified in phytochemical study.

References
  1. "Rauvolfia tetraphylla - Synonyms". The Plant List. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  2. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Rauvolfia tetraphylla". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
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