Rauvolfia verticillata

Rauvolfia verticillata, the common devil pepper, is a plant in the family Apocynaceae. The specific epithet verticillata means 'whorled' and refers to the plant's leaves.

Description
Rauvolfia verticillata grows as a shrub up to 5 m tall. The bark is yellowish black or brown. Inflorescences bear up to 35 or more flowers. The flowers feature a white or pinkish corolla. The fruits are whitish purple when ripe, ovoid, up to 1.4 cm long.

Distribution and habitat
Rauvolfia verticillata is native to China and tropical Asia from India to the Philippines. It grows in a variety of habitats, from sea-level to 2000 m altitude.

Uses
Rauvolfia verticillata is used in traditional Chinese medicine, including as a treatment for snakebite, malaria, typhus and hypertension.