Rauvolfia serpentina, the Indian snakeroot tree or the sarpagandha, has pretty white to pinkish flowers and fruits that are bright green when raw and purplish-black when ripe.

It is commonly found in open places or deciduous forests with a lot of rainfall, fertile soil and shade. It grows naturally in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Java.

Since ancient times, extracts from the roots, bark and leaves of this plant have been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, including as an antiseptic and a pain reliever.

However, the plant faces a major threat to its survival from over-harvesting by tribals in places such as Java. In order to ensure the survival of the species in the wild, the R. Serpentina is listed on the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species, and while trade in the plant is allowed, a permit is needed to help regulate it.