Strophanthus Species, Poison Arrow Flower, Kombe Arrow Poison

S. kombe was originally misidentified as S. hispidus in the mid 19th century, the latter being differentiated by its more hirsute, less c...Read Moreoriaceous (leathery) leaves. And whereas S. hispidus is indigenous to the western regions of the African continent, S. kombe is found principally in the southeast.

Seeds should be planted immediately upon receipt in a moist, peat-based seed starting mix. Germination is rapid and reliable. This species should be regarded as frost tender, which means that it should be container grown and overwintered indoors anywhere cooler than USDA Zone 9-10. Young plants do well in moist, well drained fertile soil in a warm, humid environment, with morning or dappled sun. Plants are deciduous, and will drop their leaves and go dormant in the fall, which corresponds with the dry season in equatorial Africa. When dormant, overwinter indoors and water sparingly. When spring arrives, increase watering when you want them to reawaken. When they do, give them sun and let them dry out a little between waterings. With ample sunlight, warmth, and regular watering, they will reward you with prolific growth.

All parts of the plant (particularly the seeds) contain Strophanthin-k, a cardiac glycoside that is of medicinal value in small doses, and lethal otherwise. As such, the seeds of the plant were ground to a paste by indigenous tribes to create "gombé", a lethal substance used to poison the tip of arrows.

S. kombe was official in European pharmacopoeia until the early 20th century, and is difficult to find outside of the wild today aside from a few commercial botanical gardens. It's natural habitat is primarily within the coastal and gallery forests of Zimbabwe and Kenya.