Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Restricted medicinal

Other use

Source of khat, chewed by inhabitants of the horn of Africa for its stimulating effect. Made illegal to import into the UK in summer 2013.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2014). Conium maculatum, Hemlock, Cicuta, Conio. link

Toxicity

Addictive when fresh leaves chewed due to the alkaloid cathinone, which has effects resembling those of amphetamine. Produces excitement and alters mood. Banned in many countries but accepted as a social drug in others.
Professor Anthony Dayan, 2022

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, East Tropical Africa, Kenya
  • Africa, East Tropical Africa, Tanzania
  • Africa, East Tropical Africa, Uganda
  • Africa, Northeast Tropical Africa, Ethiopia
  • Africa, South Tropical Africa, Angola
  • Africa, South Tropical Africa, Malawi
  • Africa, South Tropical Africa, Mozambique
  • Africa, South Tropical Africa, Zambia
  • Africa, South Tropical Africa, Zimbabwe
  • Africa, Southern Africa, Cape Provinces
  • Africa, Southern Africa, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland
  • Africa, West-Central Tropical Africa, Zaire
  • Asia-Temperate, Arabian Peninsula, Yemen

Catha edulis (Vahl) Forrsk. ex Endl.

Family: CELASTRACEAE
Genus: Catha
Species: edulis (Vahl) Forrsk. ex Endl.
Common names: Khat
Distribution summary: Tropical East Africa
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: H3 - Half hardy; unheated greenhouse/mild winter
Habitat: Dry, sunny, rocky mountains
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Southern Hemisphere (K)
Reason for growing: Medicinal, toxic


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