More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
Optimized for viewing on desktop or laptop
Flowers of Zihuatanejo
Be Still Tree
Rauvolfia tetraphylla
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-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.