The climbing shrub (liana) has slender stems with milky sap that form a dense scrambling habit. It has dark green leathery elliptical leaves and the white-yellow fragrant funnel-shaped flowers have long appendages and appear in a cluster during autumn.

Hardiness zones 10 to 11

Strophanthus preussiiis naturally found in tropical West Africa growing in forest margins and clearings or in moist forest gullies from sea level to and altitude of 1,400 m (4943 ft).

It prefers a sunny to semi-shaded wind protected position and grows in well drained organic rich moist soil that is tending alkaline and is frost and drought tender.

Spider Tresses is grown for its flowers and its climbing habit. It is planted along borders as a low shrub or as a climber on wire fences. It can also be trained as a ground cover or as a spill-over above retaining walls. It is suitable fo coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 2-3 years. It is planted in tubs and planter boxes as a shrub and is suitable for shaded courtyards. ID 3572

Strophanthus(stroh-FAN-thus) preussii(PREW-see-eye)

Note:
In monsoonal regions the flowers appear and the fruit ripens from the dry season to the beginning of the rainy season.
This plant is also known as the Poison Arrow Plant because the poisonous latex that is derived from the stems is used by hunters to lace arrow tips to stun animals.

Apocynaceae(a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee)