Serpentine Wood
Rauvolfia serpentina
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Jawa, Laccadive Is., Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
H. Zell,Dinesh Valke (www.inaturalist.org),Dinesh Valke (www.inaturalist.org),Nativeplants garden,Photo by David J. Stang,Forestowlet,Pieria (Uploader and Photographer),P Jeganathan (www.inaturalist.org),MAPeFY,M108t,M108t,Vinayaraj
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Rauvolfia
- Species:
- Rauvolfia serpentina
- USDA Symbol:
- RASE4
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers forest floor conditions with organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Fresh seeds germinate best; viability decreases rapidly with storage. Requires warm temperatures (25-30°C) for optimal germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI