Nux Vomica, Strychnine, Poison nut tree, Snake wood
Strychnos nux-vomica
Family: Loganiaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows to 25 m tall. The small branches are slightly hairy. The leaf stalks is 0.5-1.5 cm long. The leaf blade is broadly oval and 5-18 cm long by 4-12.5 cm wide. It is papery. There are 3-5 veins from the base. The fruit is an orange berry. It is 2-4 cm across. There are 1-4 seeds.
Parts are used in medicine. It contains alkaloids.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in deciduous forests and along riverbanks and shores. It grows up to 1,200 m above sea level. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, Ghana, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa
How it is used for food
CAUTION: The alkaloid Strychnine occurs in this plant and is very poisonous. The seeds are poisonous. The alkaloid strychnine is used in the distillation of country spirits. The fruit pulp is eaten.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit, kernel, caution
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Goda kaduru, Kabaung, Kagra, Kar, Ma qian zi, Pnheav, Pohon bidara putih, Pohon kacang racun, Sleng, Theathankottai, Yetti