Strychnos nux vomica POISON NUT (4 seeds)

Strychnine Tree, also known as nux vomica, poison nut, or kuchala, is a fast-growing tree from the Loganiaceae family. Native to Asia and Africa, this species typically reaches a height of 4 to 6 meters.

It features dense, evergreen foliage. Its leaves are oval, thick, and glossy, with a deep dark green color and subtle veins, generally growing in opposite pairs.

The flowers are small, tubular, and creamy white, appearing in clusters at the leaf axils.

The fruits are spherical berries that turn orange when mature, comparable in size to a walnut or a small apple. Inside the smooth-skinned fruit, a pulp surrounds the highly toxic seeds.

Strychnine tree seeds are flat, shiny, and downy, roughly the size of a coin.

- Properties and Toxicity Warning:

CAUTION: The Strychnine Tree contains highly toxic and dangerous alkaloids, specifically strychnine and brucine. Ingestion can lead to severe consequences or death. This plant is intended strictly for ethnobotanical and shamanic plant collections.

Historically, nux vomica was used in traditional medicine for its stimulating properties and as a powerful laxative.

The Bwiti tribes of Africa use the seeds during ethnic rituals. They also prepare a liquid extract from the tree to poison arrow tips for hunting in the jungle. Similar to the fish berry (Anamirta cocculus), pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), or common rue, it has been used in traditional fishing practices to stun fish.

This rare exotic plant is most famous for containing strychnine, a violent poison often used against small rodents.

- Seed Germination and Sowing:

• The best time to sow nux vomica is in June.
• Soak the seeds for 12 hours in lukewarm water before planting to break dormancy.
• Prepare pots with fine peat. Bury the seeds flat at a depth of 1 cm
• Place the setup in a very hot location at a temperature near 40°C for 3 days, then move it to a consistent temperature between 25 and 30°C.
• Germination typically begins 3 to 5 weeks after planting.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

Strychnos prefers deep, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral substrate is ideal. While it tolerates some humidity, waterlogged soils must be avoided.

- Exposure / Sunlight:

This plant requires full sun for optimal development. It benefits from at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, which promotes both growth and flowering.

- Temperatures / Hardiness:

As an exotic tree, it is very sensitive to cold. It thrives in warm climates with temperatures between 20°C and 35°C. It has low hardiness and cannot survive frost.

- Watering / Water Needs:

It requires regular watering to keep the soil slightly moist, but never soggy. Watering should be more frequent during the active growing season.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

Multiplication is primarily achieved through sowing seeds. Propagation via cuttings is possible, though significantly more difficult.