rauwolfia (redirected from rauwolfias)

rau·wol·fi·a  (rou-wlf-, rô-)

n.

Any of various tropical trees and shrubs of the genus Rauvolfia, especially R. serpentina, of southeast Asia, the root of which is the source of tranquilizing alkaloid drugs such as reserpine.

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[Variant of New Latin Rauvolfia, genus name, after Leonhard Rauwolf (1535-1596), German botanist.]

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rauwolfia [rɔːˈwʊlfɪə raʊ-]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any tropical tree or shrub of the apocynaceous genus Rauwolfia, esp R. serpentina of SE Asia

2. (Medicine / Pharmacology) the powdered root of R. serpentina: a source of various drugs, esp reserpine

[New Latin, named after Leonhard Rauwolf (died 1596), German botanist]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	rauwolfia - any of several alkaloids extracted from the shrub Rauwolfia serpentina Rau-Sed, Raudixin, reserpine, Sandril, Serpasil - antihypertensive consisting of an alkaloid extracted from the plant Rauwolfia serpentina (trade names Raudixin or Rau-Sed or Sandril or Serpasil) alkaloid - natural bases containing nitrogen found in plants
	2.	rauwolfia - any shrub or small tree of the genus Rauwolfia having leaves in whorls and cymose flowers; yield substances used medicinally especially as emetics or purgatives or antihypertensives rauvolfia genus Rauvolfia, genus Rauwolfia - pantropical genus of somewhat poisonous shrubs and small trees Rauwolfia serpentina, snakewood - East Indian climbing shrub with twisted limbs and roots resembling serpents bush, shrub - a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems