Acokanthera oblongifolia (Hochst.) Codd

Spice Flower Fruit In the University

Family: APOCYNACEAE

Genus: Acokanthera

Spanish common name: Laurel tóxico.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Africa

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Garden plants. Gardens.

Description: A small tree or bush which can reach 3-4m in height, with broadly elliptic, oblong or lanceolate leaves that are between 6 and 12 cm long and 2.5-6cm wide. They are coriaceous, bright green on the upper side and paler on the lower side. Sometimes they take on a purple hue. The flowers are white, tinged with pink, and are very fragrant, with the tube of the corolla measuring 1.5-2cm long. They are found in auxiliary racemes. The fruit is ovoid, fleshy and black when ripe, between 2-2.5 cm in length.

Observations: The fruit is very toxic.