Ignatia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Loganiaceae
Genus:	Strychnos
Species:	S. ignatia
Binomial name
Strychnos ignatia Lindl.
Synonyms
Ignatia amara Linné filius Ignatiana philippinica Loureiro Strychnos hainanensis Merrill & Chun Strychnos ignatii Bergius Strychnos ovalifolia Wallich ex G. Don Strychnos philippensis Blanco

Strychnos ignatia is a plant named for Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit missionary order.

[edit] Plant

Ignatia is derived from the bean of a tree in the Loganiaceae family native to the Philippines and parts of China. The fruit of the tree Strychnos ignatii is the size and shape of a pear and has almond-like seeds, also known as Saint Ignatius' beans.^[1]

[edit] Strychnine

The beans of the plant contain the alkaloids strychnine and brucine. Brucine is highly toxic, any more than 2 milligrams is poisonous. Strychnine was formerly used in rat poisons.

[edit] Homeopathy

the plant is used as a homeopathic remedy known as ignatia amara.

[edit] References