Tabernaemontana ventricosa

Tabernaemontana ventricosa, commonly known as forest toad-tree or small-fruited toad-tree, is a tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae. It is native to Africa.

Description

Tabernaemontana ventricosa grows as a smallish tree. It produces latex. The leathery leaves, clustered near branch ends, are oblong. The flowers are white. The fruit is oval-shaped.

Taxonomy

Tabernaemontana ventricosa was initially described by German botanist Christian Hochstetter in 1844, subsequently validly published by Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle. The specific epithet ventricosa means 'ventricose'.

Distribution and habitat

Tabernaemontana ventricosa is native to an area of Africa from Nigeria east to Kenya and south to Mozambique. Its habitat is forests from sea level to altitude.

Conservation

Tabernaemontana ventricosa has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. The species is broadly distributed and not considered to be facing any major threats.

Uses

Tabernaemontana ventricosa is locally used in the treatment of wounds, fever and hypertension. The fruit is edible. The wood is locally used in planks.