Poison arrow tree facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Poison arrow tree
Scientific classification
Genus:	Acokanthera
Species:	oppositifolia
Synonyms
Cestrum oppositifolium Lam. 1792 Toxicophlaea thunbergii Harv. Acokanthera venenata (Burm.f.) G.Don Acokanthera lamarckii G.Don Carissa oppositifolia (Lam.) Pichon Cestrum venenatum Burm.f. Acokanthera venenata (Burm.f.) G.Don Toxicophlaea thunbergii Harv. Toxicophlaea cestroides A.DC. Pleiocarpa hockii De Wild. Acokanthera longiflora Stapf Carissa acokanthera Pichon Acokanthera rhodesica Merxm. Carissa longiflora (Stapf) G.H.M.Lawr.

Acokanthera oppositifolia is a shrub used as the source of an arrow poison and to coat caltrops made from the sharp fruits of the puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris). All plants of the genus Acokanthera contain toxic cardiac glycosides strong enough to cause death. Acokanthera oppositifolia is widespread in southern and central Africa from Cape Province north to The Democratic Republic of the Congo + Tanzania.

Acokanthera schimperi is employed for the same purpose.

Unlike all other parts of the plant, the ripe fruit is sweet and edible. Unripe fruit are still poisonous, so only really ripe fruit are eaten.

See also

In Spanish: Acokanthera oppositifolia para niños