Snakewort (Dorstenia contrajerva, Sp. Pl.: 121 (1753))

Family: Moraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 121 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Dorstenia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Snakewort, scientifically known as Dorstenia contrajerva, is a distinctive and versatile member of the Moraceae family, celebrated for its unique botanical properties and wide geographical proliferation. First described in 1753 in the seminal work “Species Plantarum,” authored by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus, this intriguing plant has captivated botanists and herbalists alike for centuries.

Native to the regions stretching from Mexico down through Tropical America, Snakewort thrives across a variety of tropical environments. Its ecological adaptability is testament to its resilient nature, allowing it to flourish in diverse conditions from humid forests to more arid landscapes.

Dorstenia contrajerva is particularly esteemed for its peculiar inflorescence and the characteristic form of its leaves. The plant typically displays a rosette of lance-shaped leaves, which contribute to its unique visual appeal. The inflorescence is an unconventional, yet fascinating structure that sets Snakewort apart from many of its botanical peers.

Aside from its captivating form, Dorstenia contrajerva holds significant historical and medicinal value. Traditionally, it has been recognized for its potential therapeutic properties. Various indigenous cultures across its native range have utilized the plant in traditional remedies, often valuing its purported benefits in treating ailments related to snake bites and other venomous threats, thus earning it the common moniker “Snakewort.”

In contemporary times, Snakewort continues to be a subject of interest not only for its ornamental value but also for its place in ethnobotany and the ongoing exploration of its pharmacological potentials. As researchers delve deeper into the myriad compounds within this plant, new applications and benefits are continually being discovered, ensuring that Snakewort remains not just a relic of botanical history, but a vibrant and evolving component of modern botanical science.

Common Names

Deu: bezoarwurz, schlangenwurz
Eng: tusilla, snakewort
Swe: besoarrot
Spa: contra de cobra, contrahierba, contrayerba, hierba de sapo
Fra: herbe aux serpents, herbe chapeau, racine de charchis
En: Snakewort, Tusilla
Fi: Käärmelonkio
Fr: Herbe aux serpents, Herbe chapeau, Racine de charchis
De: Bezoarwurz, Schlangenwurz
Es: Hierba de sapo, Contra de cobra, Contrahierba, Contrayerba, Mano de Sapo
Sv: Besoarrot

Synonyms

• Dorstenia quadrangularis var. sinuata (Stokes)
• Dorstenia maculata (Verschaff.)
• Dorstenia alexiteria (L.)
• Dorstenia contrajerva var. houstonii (L.)
• Dorstenia contrajerva var. maculata ((Verschaff.) Bureau)
• Dorstenia contrajerva subsp. tenuiloba (S.F.Blake)
• Dorstenia contrajerva var. tenuiloba ((S.F.Blake) Standl. & Steyerm.)
• Dorstenia houstonii ((L.) L.)
• Dorstenia quadrangularis var. pinnatifida (Stokes)
• Dorstenia quadrangularis (Stokes)
• Dorstenia quadrangularis var. integrifolia (Stokes)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Florida (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 6, 2021 by Querales Wladimir (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Querales Wladimir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Formina Lara (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 10, 2008 by EOL − Michael Kesl (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Salado Carrera Gustavo Enrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2020 by Márquez Nancy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 17, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 20, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 20, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 20, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 5, 2022 by Maximilian Petre (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2984541)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319180-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dorstenia contrajerva L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth