Label source: The stem is powdered and kept in hollow reeds. When required it is mixed with gall and other substances, and applied to the arrows. Label source: Plant used by the Manganja's Shire Valley, to poison their arrows. Jan'y 1859 Zambesi Expedit, ion. When they kill certain kinds of serpents they mix the gall & this powder & perhaps other substances and apply it to the arrow head below the barb. When an animal is killed with it almost half of the flesh is destroyed.