This is Strychnos Toxifera - the plant which the Poison Curare is derived from. Curare is a paralyzing agent that is used on the tips of poisoned arrows. Curare acts by binding to the receptors for the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine (it’s an antagonist) which is the neurotransmitter employed at many neuromuscular junctions (the synapses that interface neurons to muscle tissue), such as the heart. In this way, curare can be used as an anesthetic, but it can also stop breathing & contractions of the heart.

(Inspired by Michael’s week of shelving-related posts & because I’ve been talking about neurotoxins a lot lately, UGP will feature a daily poison posting this week.)