Strychnos fendleri

In the Guiana shield, Amerindian peoples have prepared strong bark decoctions of Strychnos fendleri as an arrow and fish poison, noting that the liquid is thrown away after use rather than drunk (Mors and Rizzini, 1991). The highly toxic nature of Strychnos seeds and bark is well documented by those who work in forensic and toxinology contexts: strychnine-bearing species of the genus are well known, and S. fendleri is often included in regional compilations of such plants (van Andel et al., 2012). The practicality is clear: a decoction is made by simmering the pounded bark in water until concentrated, and only the liquid is used to immobilize or kill fish and game; the spent plant material is discarded to avoid accidental poisoning. This same concern around misuse leads contemporary naturalists in the region to caution that the plant is treated strictly as an ichthyotoxic source, not a culinary or therapeutic item (van Andel et al., 2012). Similarly, historic pharmacological surveys of New World Strychnos repeat the warning that Strychnos species are used as poisons rather than medicines (Schultes, 1979).

Because the plant is handled as a nonedible poison, it is crucial to avoid any preparation for internal use. To make a 1:5 tincture (dry weight to solvent) by maceration in the laboratory, place 20 grams of accurately weighed, finely powdered bark in a clean jar and add 100 mL of 50% ethanol (v/v). Cap and shake daily, keeping the jar cool and protected from light. After four weeks, filter through fine muslin and let the extract settle overnight; then press and filter once more. Such tinctures are strictly for research and should never be consumed; they require professional handling and storage controls (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1983; Wichtl, 1994). In traditional settings outside the New World, preparations of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds are occasionally made as poultices, but for Strychnos fendleri, only liquid ichthyotoxic applications are documented; any topical use should therefore be avoided unless supported by independent sources (Mors and Rizzini, 1991).

The species is reliably linked to the indole alkaloid strychnine, a potent neurotoxin that acts as a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors in the spinal cord and brainstem; the compound has a long history in pharmacology but is now highly restricted in most countries because of its toxicity (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1983; WHO, 2004). Minor related Strychnos alkaloids, such as brucine, have been reported in some species, though recent local chemical work on S. fendleri is sparse; consequently, it is prudent to assume that strychnine-class alkaloids are the most relevant constituents driving the traditional poison applications (van Andel et al., 2012).

Although Strychnos fendleri remains a local source of ichthyotoxin rather than a mainstream medicinal plant, research on the ecology and phytochemistry of New World Strychnos continues, and while trade in strychnine is tightly controlled, it does appear in specialized research and nonhuman pest-control markets; traditional nonmedicinal handling persists in parts of the Guianas, underscoring that the plant is used for its toxic properties and never as an edible or medicinal substance (van Andel et al., 2012; Mors and Rizzini, 1991).

No general uses added yet. Help us by writing one.

No known synonyms.

No common names added yet.

No subspecies added yet.

No variety added yet.

No subvariety added yet.

No forms added yet.

No germination or propagation data was added yet.

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No known contributors. Be the first!

In private collections	0
In public collections	0

You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.