Tabernaemontana elegans

Tabernaemontana elegans
warty fruit, holding numerous seeds
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Tabernaemontana
Species:	T. elegans
Binomial name
Tabernaemontana elegans Stapf
Synonyms[1]
Conopharyngia elegans (Stapf) Stapf Leptopharyngia elegans (Stapf) Boiteau

Tabernaemontana elegans is a shrub or small tree that is native to eastern Africa. Vernacular names for the plant include "Toad tree".

Structure

It grows up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 30 centimetres (12 in). Its fragrant flowers feature white, creamy or pale yellow corolla lobes. Fruit consists of 2 separate ovoid or ellipsoid pods, up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) each.

Range

Habitat is in forests or bushland from sea-level to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) altitude. The plant is native to Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.^[2][3][4]

Uses

Its numerous local medicinal uses include the treatment of heart disease, cancer, tuberculosis and venereal diseases. T. elegans is also used as an aphrodisiac.^[2] The Zulu name for this genus, iNomfi, refers to the use of their sticky, milky latex as bird-lime.^[5]

opposite, entire leaves  symmetrical fruit pods

References

1. "Tabernaemontana elegans". The Plant List. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
2. Medicinal Plants. PROTA. 2008. pp. 592–593. ISBN 978-9-05782-204-9.
3. "Tabernaemontana elegans". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
4. "Tabernaemontana elegans". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
5. Palmer, Eve (1977). A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. London, Johannesburg: Collins. pp. 303–304. ISBN 0-620-05468-9.