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Acokanthera Oppositifolia

Common names: Common Poison Bush
Family:
Plant Type :
Height :
Evergreen :
Indigenous :


Position :
Moisture :
Soil :
Wind :
Frost :

Apocynaceae
Shrub
Up to 4 m
Semi-deciduous
Indigenous


Full Sun
Average water
Enriched Soil
Wind Resistant
Frost Resistant


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.

This family is characterized by having sweetly scented flowers and sticky milky sap which is often poisonous.


The Bushman's poison is a hardy drought and frost resistant evergreen shrub that tolerates full sun or shade and also does well as a container plant. Propagation of this species is from seed or semi-hardwood cuttings in the months of September to October.


Foliage
Type :
Colour :
Use :
Other :

Identification Tool :
Simple
Green , Dark Green
Unspecified
Poisonous

  • - Leaf morphology


    The species name refers to the opposite arrangement of the leaves.


    Flower
    Type :
    Time :
    Colour :
    Use :
    Other :

    Identification Tool :
    Radial (Actinomorphic)
    Winter / Spring
    White , Cream , Light Yellow , Yellow , Light Pink , Pink
    Unspecified
    Unspecified

  • - Flower morphology


    The name Acokanthera is derived from the Greek and refers to the sharp anthers of the flowers.


    NOTES

    All parts of the plant are highly poisonous with the possible exception of the ripe fruits. Even meat grilled on a fire made from its wood has proved fatal.


  • Reference Plant profile


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