[mod.L. (De Candolle, 1802), f. Gr. στρόφ-ος twisted cord + ἄνθος flower]. a. Bot. A genus of plants of the N.O. Apocynaceæ, native of tropical Africa and Asia, having strongly poisonous qualities; a plant of this genus. b. A poisonous drug extracted from the seeds of various species of this genus, used by certain African tribes as a poison for arrows; in recent pharmacy used as a cardiac tonic.
1888. Lancet, 11 Feb., 291/2. Fraenkel, Guttmann, and Langgaard have recently given the result of their experience with strophanthus.
1898. Rev. Brit. Pharm., 8. Two ounces of the extract of strophanthus is made from 1 oz. of seed.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 751. The insomnia of heart disease is benefitted by digitalis, strophanthus, strychnine, [etc.].
1906. Alice Werner, Natives Brit. Central Africa, viii. 189. The poison for spears and arrows is in most cases strophanthus.
1911. H. D. Larymore, in Spectator, 14 Jan., 56/2. An arrow poisoned with the usual strophanthus, &c., will kill the person wounded.
