strophanthus

[stroh-fan-thuhs]

noun

plural

strophanthuses 

1. any of various shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Strophanthus, of the dogbane family, chiefly of tropical Africa.

2. the dried, ripe seed of any of these plants, which yields the drug strophanthin.

strophanthus

/ strəʊˈfænθəs /

noun

1. any small tree or shrub of the apocynaceous genus Strophanthus, of tropical Africa and Asia, having strap-shaped twisted petals. The seeds of certain species yield the drug strophanthin

2. the seeds of any of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of strophanthus¹

< New Latin (1802) < Greek stróph ( os ) twine + ánthos flower

Word History and Origins

Origin of strophanthus¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek strophos twisted cord + anthos flower