Strophanthus divaricatus aka Goat Horns

Strophanthus divaricatus is in the plant family called Apocynaceae. It grows wild in southern China, Laos and Vietnam. It grows in old woods and woods that have regrown. It also grows in thickets and scrub near the coast. Its range runs from sea level to about 2,950 feet [900 metres]. The RHS lists it as not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant can grow as a shrub or a climber. The shrub makes stolons, which are stems that spread. Useful Tropical Plants gives a height of about 13 feet [4 metres]. It also lists stems about 16 feet [5 metres] long. These figures give height and stem length, not a garden size range. Stems can reach about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres] thick. The account says no more about the bark or leaves. It shows flowers and fruit as it ripens. Yet it gives no words to describe their traits.

People sometimes grow this plant in Southeast Asia. Useful Tropical Plants lists it as wild and grown for looks. Its shrub and climbing forms give it two distinct shapes. Yet the source does not say how to train it. It says growers can use seed to raise new plants. It gives no details on how to sow them. Nor does it give advice on light, water or soil. It does not say how much winter cold it can bear. It gives no bloom dates or notes on pests and diseases. Its wild sites alone do not show its garden needs.

People gather wild plants for use in local medicine. Past uses draw on both the leaves and seeds. These include treating scabies, rheumatism and itching. They also include treating swelling caused by injury or bites. Records note use to spur the heart and treat snake bites. In China, seeds form the main part of a traditional remedy. These records show use as medicine, not proof that home treatments work. Nor do they show that such treatments are safe.

The seeds hold several glucosides: divaricoside, divostroside, caudoside and sinoside. A purified seed mix has the name D-Strophantin. Records note its use to treat heart failure. The account also notes use when patients cannot tolerate digitalis preparations. Seeds have a separate use as an insecticide to kill insects. The supplied evidence lists no use as food. The database says it knows of no hazards. But it gives no safety assessment for people or pets.