Rauvolfia tetraphylla
Devil pepper or Wild snakeroot
- Also called Devil pepper, Be still tree, Wild snakeroot
Evergreen shrub, sometimes a small tree
What it is
Devil pepper is a shrub of the oleander family with milky sap. Its leaves grow in whorls of four, usually of unequal sizes, which gives it the name tetraphylla. It has clusters of tiny white flowers and small round berries that turn from green to red to black. It is native to tropical America and has become naturalised across the tropics, including South India.
What it's used for
- Its roots contain reserpine and related alkaloids, which is why it has been grown in herb gardens.
- South Indian tribal healers use it in their traditional medicine.
- It is sometimes planted as an ornamental for its glossy leaves and colourful berries.
- All parts are poisonous to eat.
Where we plant it
Reforestation in Tamil Nadu, India
Sadhana Forest, Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India
Plant trees in this projectOur partners plant the mix of native species that suits each site and season, so a gift plants trees in the project rather than this one species. Rauvolfia tetraphylla is one of the species planted there.
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See all 37 species in Reforestation in Tamil Nadu, India
Other species we plant
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4 species
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16 species
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