Bushman´s poison - Acokanthera oblongifolia

The "Bushman´s poison" or "Wintersweet" as it is also known is a shrub or small tree native to Southern Africa.  It is the source of a poison that is used on bushmen´s arrow tips and is highly toxic to both animals and humans.  The fruits of this dangerous plant contain estrofantina-G and can be fatal is ingested (especially when they are green).  When I first saw this bush I thought that it might be some sort of olive by the looks of the fruits. 






6 comments:

  1. If an animal is shot with a poison darttip,..
    would that animal be edible?
    Is this plant found in the eastern cape? RSA

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  2. yes to both. it breaks down in the body.
    and if both available would make coctail by mixing in larvae of diamphidia.
    Mack
    s/west

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  3. ian, that is untrue, the San People or bushmen actually determine the size of the poisoned meat that must be removed before they consume the animal, even if a little bit gets onto their fingers and they ingest it, they can die. Animals shot with the poisoned arrrow, depending on where they are shot, can take a few hours to die, they dont realise what is happening they just gradually weaker till the San pounce on the now weak animal and help it along its passage.

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  4. what is the difference between oblongifolia and oppositifolia?

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  5. Yes, I would also like to know this!

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  6. They are two species. Both are poisonous.

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