Serpent wood, Snake wood
Rauvolfia serpentina
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
A small shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The stems are usually unbranched and slender and straw coloured. The leaves are grouped near the tip of the stem. They are in rings of 3-5. The leaves are narrowly oval and 7-17 cm long by 2-9 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped and they taper to the tip. The flowers are tube shaped and white. The fruit are oval and 8 mm across.
It is an at risk species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in mountain forests between 800-1,500 m above sea level in southern China. In Nepal it grows between 100-1,200 m above sea level. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand
How it is used for food
The root is used as medicine.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Leaves, root - medicine
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds and cuttings. Seed can be kept for 6 months. It is best to soak seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing. They are best put in a nursery and transplanted after 3-4 months. Shoot cuttings 15-22 cm long with 3 nodes are suitable. A spacing of 40-50 cm is suitable. Removing shoots increase the yield of roots.
Its other names
Local names
Bonma-yaza, Chaandmaruwaa, Kayu ular, Pagal buti, Pulai pundak, Sarpagandha, Serpagandha