7383. Physostigma

Nomenclature

Calabar bean; ordeal bean; chop nut; split nut.

Description and references

Dried ripe seed of Physostigma venenosum Balf., Leguminosae. Poisonous! Habit. West Africa (near mouths of Niger and Old Calabar Rivers); introduced into India and Brazil. Constit. 0.15-0.3% alkaloids consisting of physostigmine (eserine), physovenine, eseridine, eseramine, phytosterol.