Origin and Common Names
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. is a plant species from the Apocynaceae family, native to West Africa, particularly Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, and Mali. It is commonly known as "Senegal Snake Poison," "African Arrow Poison," and "Bride's Tears."
Uses
The plant contains cardioactive glycosides, including ouabain, which are used as arrow poison and as a treatment for heart failure and arrhythmias. The dried bark, leaves, and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat snakebites, fever, and as a laxative. The seeds are used to induce vomiting and treat edema. Additionally, the plant is used in some African cultures as a love potion.
General Appearance
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. is a climbing shrub that can grow up to 5 meters tall. It has a woody stem and branches that are covered with a white pubescence. The leaves are elliptical, glossy, and leathery, with a sharp point at the tip and around 10 centimeters long. The flowers are white, narrow, and bell-shaped, with a strong, sweet scent. The fruit is a long, cylindrical capsule containing numerous flat, black seeds that are surrounded by a fluffy, white coma.
Growth Conditions of Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev.
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. is a flowering plant that requires specific growth conditions to thrive. Here are the typical growth conditions for this plant:
Light Requirements
This plant requires bright direct sunlight exposure in order to grow well. It is not tolerant to shade and will not survive in low-light conditions. Growers should provide at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily to ensure proper growth.
Temperature Requirements
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. grows well in warm temperatures between 20 ºC and 28 ºC. It is not frost-tolerant and will not survive freezing conditions. The plant can grow in both high temperatures and humidity but requires good ventilation to prevent fungal infections.
Soil Requirements
The plant requires well-draining soils that are rich in organic matter. The pH of the soil should be within 5.5-7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral. Drainage is important to prevent water-logging, which can lead to root rot. The soil should also contain enough nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, to support growth.
Watering Requirements
The plant requires regular watering, especially during the growing season, to keep the soil moist. However, overwatering should be avoided as it can lead to root rot. The plant is drought-tolerant and can survive short periods of water scarcity.
Fertilizer Requirements
The plant requires regular fertilization to maintain its growth and health. Growers should apply a balanced fertilizer, especially during the growing season. The fertilizer should contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in equal ratios.
By providing the ideal growing conditions for Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev., growers can expect healthy growth and flowering of the plant.
Cultivation of Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev.
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev is native to West Africa and is mostly found in Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea, thriving in warm tropical environments. To cultivate this plant, it is important to mimic its natural habitat as much as possible.
Start by finding a location with direct sunlight for most of the day and well-draining soil. Plant the Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev seeds in shallow holes at a depth of about 4 cm. Cover the seeds with soil and gently water them to help them settle and germinate.
Watering Needs
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev requires regular watering to help the plant grow healthy. It is essential to maintain moderate moisture levels in the soil but ensure that the soil does not become waterlogged to avoid root rot.
Water regularly during the growing season, and reduce the frequency of watering during the dormant winter months. It is best to water in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not at its peak to prevent the leaves from burning
Fertilization
To keep the plant healthy and improve growth, fertilize regularly, especially during the growing season. It is highly recommended to use a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks when watering, and reduce the frequency to once a month during the dormant winter months.
Be cautious of over-fertilizing, particularly with nitrogen-based fertilizers that can cause leaf burn and impact plant growth negatively.
Pruning
Prune your Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev regularly to encourage proper growth and shape. Prune the plant during its dormant period to avoid causing damage and remove dead or yellowing leaves.
Cut back the branches and trailing vines to 25 cm above the soil level to encourage new growth and branch formation. However, note not to prune too much, as this may stress the plant and impair its growth.
Propagation of Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev.
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. can be propagated by two main methods:
Seed Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. is through seed propagation. The seeds of the plant should be collected in the fall when they have matured and turned brown. The seeds need to be cleaned well and planted in a well-prepared nursery bed. It is important to sow the seeds in a sterile environment to prevent any soil-borne diseases.
The nursery bed should have well-draining soil with a neutral pH. The seeds should be planted about 1cm deep and spaced 10cm apart. Germination typically takes between 21 to 28 days. The seedlings should be watered frequently and kept out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day.
After the plants have reached a height of about 10cm, they can be transplanted into individual pots. The pots should be filled with a mixture of soil and compost. It is important to water the plants regularly and keep them in a well-lit, but not overly sunny area.
Vegetative Propagation
Another method of propagating Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. is through vegetative propagation. This method involves taking cuttings from healthy plants to create new plants.
The best time to take cuttings is during the growing season when the plant is actively growing. It is important to take cuttings from healthy and disease-free plants. The cuttings should be taken from the young, green stems of the plant. The cuttings should be around 8-10cm long and have at least 3-4 leaves attached.
The cuttings should be treated with a rooting hormone to encourage root development. They can then be planted in a well-draining soil and placed in a shady area. It is important to keep the soil moist and to mist the cuttings regularly to prevent them from drying out.
Once the cuttings have rooted and started to grow new leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots. The pots should be filled with a mixture of soil and compost. It is important to water the plants regularly and keep them in a well-lit, but not overly sunny area.
Disease and Pest Management for Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev.
Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. is susceptible to various diseases and pests which can cause significant damage to the plant. Therefore, it is crucial to take proper measures to manage these problems to prevent crop losses.
Common diseases affecting Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev.
Leaf spot diseases: These are caused by fungi and bacteria that infect the leaves of the plant, causing spots on them. To manage leaf spot diseases, remove the infected leaves and avoid overhead watering, which can lead to the spread of the disease. Treat the remaining foliage with a fungicide to prevent further infection.
Anthracnose: This is a fungal disease that causes dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, and flowers. To manage it, remove infected parts of the plant and treat the remaining foliage with a fungicide. Avoid planting in areas with poor air circulation and wet conditions.
Root rot: This is caused by fungi that infect the roots of the plant, causing them to rot. To manage root rot, ensure that the soil is well-drained and not waterlogged. Avoid overwatering and improve soil drainage. Remove infected plants and avoid planting in infected areas.
Common pests affecting Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev.
Aphids: These are small, soft-bodied insects that suck sap from the leaves of the plant, causing them to wilt. To manage aphids, remove them by hand or spray the plant with an insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings to control their population.
Spider mites: These are tiny pests that feed on the undersides of leaves, causing them to turn yellow and die. To manage spider mites, spray the plant with a strong stream of water to dislodge them. Introduce natural predators such as predatory mites to control their population.
Caterpillars: These are the larvae of moths and butterflies that feed on the leaves of the plant, causing holes in them. To manage caterpillars, remove them by hand or spray the plant with an organic insecticide. Introduce natural predators such as birds or parasitic wasps to control their population.
By following proper disease and pest management practices, you can maintain the health of Strophanthus sarmentosus DC. forma senegambiae (A.DC.) A.Chev. and ensure a successful harvest.
