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:

Plant of History: The Nux-Vomica Tree, a Rarity of Asian Ethnobotany

The nux-vomica tree is an evergreen tree native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, particularly remarkable for its majestic habit and large orange fruits.
Historically documented in ancient herbal repertoires of Asia and Europe, this exceptional plant is today a collection piece highly sought after by ethnobotany enthusiasts for its purely historical interest, its unique place in global horticultural heritage, and the preservation of biodiversity.

Ancient Traditions and Collection Rituals

At the heart of the cultural history of various tropical regions, the seeds of this variety occupy a well-documented place in travelers' accounts and studies of sacred botany.
Traditionally used during codified ceremonies or ethnic rituals, these collection seeds illustrate the complex and ancestral relationship that traditional civilizations maintain with characterful plants.

A Strict Botanical Curiosity for Specialized Spaces

The acquisition of these reproducible seeds from Ethnoplants is strictly part of an approach to study, landscape observation, or the conservation of rare specimens within collection greenhouses or private botanical gardens.
Due to the particularly powerful and robust nature of this plant, its seeds and tissues are reserved for purely ornamental and study use.
As a matter of horticultural common sense, this collection specimen should be handled with caution and kept in a secure area, strictly out of reach of children and animals.

- 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.

This article was written by Julien on 07/26/2026.