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Gentians, Dogbanes, and Madders of Zihuatanejo

ORDER GENTIANALES

Be Still Tree

Rauvolfia tetraphylla

Flowers by Colour

-Plants (Kingdom Plantae)

-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)

-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)

-Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)

-Gentians, Dogbanes, Madders, and Allies (Order Gentianales)

-Dogbane Family (Family Apocynaceae)

-Subfamily Rauvolfioideae

-Periwinkles, Devil Peppers and Kin (Tribe Vinceae)

-Devil Peppers (Subtribe Rauvolfiinae)

-Devil Peppers (Genus Rauvolfia)

-Be Still Tree (Rauvolfia tetraphylla)


This plant, Rauvolfia tetraphylla, of the family Apocynaceae, is native to Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and northern South America. Rauvolfia tetraphylla is usually a much-branched shrub growing up to 1 metre tall, but sometimes becoming a small tree up to 4 metres tall The plant is often gathered from the wild for local medicinal use and as the source of a dyestuff and ink.

Description

  • Rauvolfia tetraphylla, commonly known as devil pepper, four-leaved rauvolfia, or be still tree, is an evergreen shrub in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae).

  • It has upright, branching stems and leaves that typically occur in whorls of four around the stems, giving the species its name.

  • The leaves are simple, entire, elliptic to lance-shaped, and prominently veined.

  • Small, white flowers grow in clusters near the ends of branches or in the leaf axils.

  • The fruits are small, rounded drupes that ripen from green to dark purple or black, often appearing in pairs or clusters.

  • The plant contains biologically active indole alkaloids. Its fruits and other parts should not be eaten, as they may be toxic.

Range

  • Native to tropical America, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America.

  • It has been introduced and naturalized in other tropical regions worldwide.

  • It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

  • Grows in tropical dry forests, scrub, woodland edges, roadsides, and disturbed areas.

  • Often occurs in sunny or partially shaded locations with well-drained soils.

  • Tolerates seasonal dryness and commonly establishes in open vegetation and other disturbed habitats.

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