Strophanthus welwitschii grows as a deciduous shrub or small tree up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall, or as a liana up to 8 metres (26 ft) long, with a stem diameter up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in). Its fragrant flowers feature a white turning purple corolla, creamy and red or purple-streaked on the inside. Habitats are forests or rocky woodlands from 300 metres (980 ft) to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) altitude. S. welwitschii is used in local medicinal treatments for respiratory conditions, gonorrhoea and scabies. The plant has been used as arrow poison. S. welwitschii is native to Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe.