rauwolfia

/raʊˈwʊlfiə/

Definitions of rauwolfia

1. noun

   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
   synonyms: rauvolfia

   types:

   Rauwolfia serpentina, snakewood

   East Indian climbing shrub with twisted limbs and roots resembling serpents

   type of:

   bush, shrub

   a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
2. noun

   any of several alkaloids extracted from the shrub Rauwolfia serpentina
   type of:

   alkaloid

   natural bases containing nitrogen found in plants