Strophanthus petersianus is a liana or deciduous shrub up to 15 metres (49 ft) long, with a stem diameter up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white corolla, sometimes with reddish pink stripes on the inside. A common name for the plant is "sand forest poison rope". S. petersianus has been used as arrow poison and by the Zulu as a charm against evil. Its habitat is coastal forest and rocky woodland. S. petersianus is native to Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa.