Stem bark alkaloids of Rauwolfia vomitoria

Forty-three indole alkaloids were isolated from 7 kg Rauwolfia vomitoria stem bark; 39 were identified and 2 partially characterised. At least 72 alkaloids classified into 19 types occur in the plant and the interrelationship of the alkaloids and their distribution throughout the plant has been discussed. The major alkaloids of the stems were heteroyohimbines (especially reserpiline) and N (a)-demethyldihydroindoles.