Common Name:

General Information

Catharanthus trichophyllus is an erect, perennial plant, more or less woody at the base, growing up to 1 metre tall. The plant, which has an unpleasant smell, contains a white latex in all its parts[].
The plant is valued locally especially for its stimulant properties, it is often harvested from the wild for local medicinal use[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - northern Madagascar.

Habitat

River banks, in open localities in forest, along forest edges and roadsides, on sand, gneiss-derived soil and laterite, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is bitter and stimulant. It is used in the treatment of venereal diseases, impotency and back-ache[]. The root is also taken as a remedy for toothache[].

The leaf is aphrodisiac and haemostatic. A decoction is taken to treat bilious fevers and dysentery[].
Externally, a decoction of the aerial parts is applied to stop bleeding[].

An infusion of all parts of the plant is taken to treat liver diseases and to stabilize the blood composition[].

The bitter flowers are given to people with diabetes, who chew them to lessen their appetite[].

The aerial parts contain mainly monomeric indole alkaloids, of which vindoline is the most important[].
The roots contain several alkaloids, mainly serpentine, but also several others including lochnericine and hörhammericine. These latter two alkaloids are responsible for part of the cytotoxic activity[].
All alkaloids in the roots and leaves occur in lower amounts than in Catharanthus roseus[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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