Cascabela thevetia

Common Name: Lucky Nut

Family: Apocynaceae

Synonym(s): Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Raf.

Country of Origin: tropical America

Description: Campanero is an erect, branched, smooth shrub or small tree growing to a height of 2 to 5 meters, with a copious milky sap. Leaves are linear, glossy and green, 10 to 15 centimeters long, 7 to 10 centimeters wide, stalkless and shining. Calyx teeth are pointed, 7 to 9 millimeters long and green. Corolla is funnel- or bell-shaped, about 7 centimeters long, about 5 centimeters wide, and yellow. The fruit is a drupe, smooth, green, shining, somewhat hard, rounded and angled, 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter.³

Uses: Used in traditional medicine by trained professionals to treat a variety of maladies though the line between therapeutic and toxic is very narrow. Contains Thevetin, which is classified with the Digitalins, a compound that causes effects on heart muscle, heartbeat irregularities, and blood pressure elevation. It also pupil constiction, increased salivation and intestinal peristalsis. In some countries people consume the nut, which is highly toxic to commit suicide. It has shown antimicrobial effects in vitro studies. Traditional folkloric uses include to induce abortions, an emetic and the oil is used externally for skin maladies.³

USDA Zone: 9-10

Accession #: 198500456

Accession Date: 1985-12-31 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 1311

Quantity: 1

Source: Unknown

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: euasterid I

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

SubFamily: Rauvolfioideae

Tribe: Plumerieae