Common Name: Snake Wood

General Information

Strychnos colubrina is usually a climbing shrub, climbing high into surrounding trees, though there are reports that it can itself sometimes become somewhat tree-like[]. It attaches itself to other plants for support by means of tendrils. The stems can be of great size, often 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The plant is commonly gathered from the wild for local medicinal use, and is often sold in local markets. It is particularly valued as an antidote to snake bites.

Known Hazards

Various parts of Strychnos plants, especially the seeds and bark, contain toxic alkaloids such as strychnine and brucine. The fleshy pulp of the ripe fruits, however, is often edible[].
A decoction of the wood, bark and roots is used as a poison for arrows[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, through southeast Asia to New Guinea, northern Australia and the Solomon Islands.

Habitat

Primary and secondary forests, in New Guinea it is also found in mixed Araucaria forests, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,850 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Although toxic, the plant is often used in traditional medicine.

The hard, intensely bitter wood is used for the treatment of dyspepsia and malaria[, ].
The wood of the root is considered an infallible remedy for the bite of the Naga or Cobra de Capella, as well as for that of every other venomous snake. It is applied externally, and at the same time given internally. It is also used in substance for the cure of intermittent fevers[, ].

The bruised fruit is applied to the head in the treatment of mania[, ].
The root, rubbed down with pepper, is used to check diarrhoea[, ].
Boiled with oil, the fruit is used as a liniment for pains in the joints[, ].

The fresh leaves, rubbed into a paste with cashew nut kernels, is applied to suppurating tumours[].

An overdose of the plant occasions tremors and vomiting, but in smaller doses it may be considered as a useful vermifuge, and be given also with advantage in obstinate quartan agues[].

The bark, seeds and wood contain brucine and some strychnine[, ].

Other Uses

The vines are used for tying purposes[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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