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Strychnos nux-vomica L.

Synonym                    : Strychnos ligustrina Blume

Family                        : Loganiaceae

Local Names              : Kanjiram, Nux-vomica tree, Poison nut, Snake wood

Flowering and fruiting period: March – December 

Distribution: Indo-Malaysia

Habitat: Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains

IUCN status: Data Deficient

Endemic: No

Uses: Nux Vomica is recommended for upset stomach, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, intestinal irritation, hangovers, heartburn, insomnia, certain heart diseases, circulatory problems, eye diseases, depression, migraine headaches, nervous conditions, problems related to menopause, and respiratory diseases in the elderly. In folk medicine, it is used as a healing tonic and appetite stimulant. Nux vomica is a common homeopathic medicine prescribed for digestive problems, sensitivity to cold, and irritability

Key Characters: Trees, to 20 m high, bark yellowish or blackish-grey, smooth. Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic, margin entire. Flowers bisexual, greenish-white, in terminal sessile cymes. Calyx lobes 4. Corolla greenish-yellow, longer than lobes, lobes 4, oblong, acute. Stamens 4, anthers sessile inserted at the throat of corolla tube. Ovary 2-celled, ovules many in each cell. Fruit a berry, globose, yellowish-red or orange; seeds 3 or 4, flat, shiny, greenish-white.