Oenanthe crocata
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff6cdccdcf259902288 |
| Scientific name | Oenanthe crocata |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 254 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Oenanthe crocata (hemlock water dropwort) is documented primarily in older European herbal and folk-medicine literature as an external remedy; poultices of crushed aerial parts or bruised leaves were applied to bruises, rheumatic pains, and swollen or bruised limbs, while compresses of infusions were used for bad wounds and ulcers (Howard 1979; De Cleene & De Smet 1987). These preparations appear in French pharmacopoeias and folk practice as a vulnerary and topical anti-inflammatory (Husson & Skrzypek 1978). In the British Isles, especially the British national collections and pharmaco-botanical compendia, crushed leaf poultices have been recorded for swellings and bruises, with repeated cautions that the plant must never be taken internally (Miller 1960; Howard 1979; Bisset 1994).
A practical external preparation used historically is a leaf poultice: bruise or crush a handful of fresh young leaves, briefly steep them in a small bowl of hot water for 5–10 minutes to make a warm mash, then spread the moist mass between clean cloths and apply to the affected area for 10–30 minutes, repeating 2–3 times daily as needed. The plant is highly toxic if ingested; all parts are dangerous and internal use should be strictly avoided; in particular, the toxic polyyne oenanthotoxin and the sedative sesquiterpenoids can produce severe and potentially fatal poisoning, so never use it in teas, tinctures, macerations, or any internal application (Acquaah 2016; Pliny 77 CE; Howard 1979).
The traditional external applications are chemically plausible because O. crocata contains several well‑known non‑volatile terpenoid lactones and polyynes that are well established in this species—包括 oenanthotoxin and oenanthetol—together with the furanocoumarin falcarindiol, all of which are documented in contemporary phytochemical reviews and contribute to the plant’s potent neurotoxic and irritant properties (Watson 1971; Bisset 1994; Acquaah 2016).
Although O. crocata is not sold commercially as a medicinal herb today because of its toxicity, its historic uses and folklore persist as cautionary chapters in regional pharmacognosy and in the broader research on plant neurotoxins (De Cleene & De Smet 1987; Bisset 1994).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
The primary non‑medicinal product derived from Oenanthe crocata is the polyyne toxin oenanthotoxin. It is isolated from the plant’s roots and aerial parts and sold by specialty chemical suppliers as a research reference standard for analytical and pharmacological work. Whole‑plant extracts are also supplied to laboratories as source material for toxin purification. Historically, the species has been employed as a fish poison; the fresh or macerated roots, when introduced into ponds or streams, stupefy or kill fish, a practice documented in European ethnobotanical surveys of traditional fishing methods.
Industrial and craft applications:
In modern neuroscience, purified oenanthotoxin functions as a potent non‑competitive antagonist of GABA‑A receptors, serving as a pharmacological probe in receptor‑binding assays, electrophysiological recordings, and mechanism‑of‑action studies. In analytical chemistry it is used as a calibration standard for the quantification of polyacetylene compounds in plant extracts and for method validation in chromatographic analyses. The traditional fish‑poison practice represents an older, craft‑oriented application of the plant’s toxic constituents.
Properties relevant to use:
Oenanthotoxin is a conjugated polyacetylene, exhibiting high lipophilicity and good solubility in organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, and dichloromethane. It remains chemically stable for months when stored at −20 °C in the dark, but degrades upon prolonged exposure to light or elevated temperatures. Its key functional property is a non‑competitive blockade of the GABA‑A chloride channel, which underlies both its utility as a research tool and its historic effectiveness as a fish‑stunning agent.
Standards and regulation:
Because of its acute oral toxicity, oenanthotoxin falls under the EU REACH regulation and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical safety, requiring hazardous‑chemical labeling, risk assessment, and appropriate licensing for purchase and handling. The parent plant is subject to national wildlife protection statutes in several European countries, which regulate its collection from natural habitats.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Oenanthe crocata is a widespread native of European wetlands, riverbanks, and marshes and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. It is not cultivated commercially; research material is obtained from wild populations under permit‑controlled harvesting. To minimise ecological impact, collectors typically target above‑ground biomass and avoid root extraction, thereby preserving plant vigor and ensuring that wild populations remain stable.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Oenanthe oligactis | Pau | Mem. Mus. Ci. Nat. Barcelona, Ser. Bot. 1(1): 45 (1922) |
| Oenanthe macrosciadia | Willk. | Linnaea 25: 28 (1852) |
| Oenanthe pteridifolia | Lowe | Trans. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 4: 30 (1831) |
| Oenanthe divaricata | (R.Br.) Mabb. | Bot. Macaronés. 6: 63. 1980 [1978 publ. 1980] |
| Oenanthe gallaecica | Pau & Merino ex Merino | Mem. Real Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 2: 493 (1904) |
| Oenanthe apiifolia | Brot. | Fl. Lusit. 1: 420 (1804) |
| Phellandrium plinii | Bubani | Fl. Pyren. 2: 370 (1899) |
| Selinum divaricatum | R.Br. | Phys. Beschr. Canar. Ins. : 195 (1828) |
| Cnidium striatum | Turcz. ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey. | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 2, 5: 188 (1836) |
| Oenanthe crocata var. longissima | Reduron | Ombellif. France 4: 1816 (2008) |
| Oenanthe crocata var. apiifolia | (Brot.) Pérez Lara | Anales Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 20: 53 (1891) |
| Oenanthe crocata var. broteri | Merino | Fl. Galicia 1: 586 (1905) |
| Oenanthe crocata var. tenuisecta | Merino | Fl. Galicia 1: 586 (1905) |
| Oenanthe crocata var. oligactis | Lange | Vidensk. Meddel. Naturhist. Foren. Kjøbenhavn 1865: 35 (1866) |
| Oenanthe crocata var. macrosciadia | (Willk.) Lange | Prodr. Fl. Hispan. 3: 53 (1874) |
| Oenanthe crocata f. macrosciadia | (Willk.) Lange | Prodr. Fl. Hispan. 3: 53 (1874) |
| Oenanthe crocata subsp. apiifolia | (Brot.) Arcang. | Comp. Fl. Ital. : 285 (1882) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | hemlock water-dropwort |
| co | ochjigrisgiu |
| cv | Шафран варăш |
| Welsh | gysplys |
| Welsh | cegiden y dŵr |
| German | safranwasserfenchel |
| German | giftige rebendolde |
| German | safranrebendolde |
| French | navet du diable |
| French | Œnanthe safranée |
| Galician | nabo de san pedro |
| Galician | pé de boi |
| Hungarian | sáfrányos mételykóró |
| Hungarian | sárga borgyökér |
| Cornish | tebelgegisen an dowr |
| Dutch | dodemansvingers |
| Swedish | saffransstäkra |
| Swedish | giftstäkra |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Macaronesia
- Madeira
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Northern Africa
- Morocco
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Macaronesia
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Europe click to expand
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Middle Europe
- Belgium
- Germany
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Northern Europe
- Great Britain
- Ireland
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Southeastern Europe
- Italy
- Sicilia
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Southwestern Europe
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
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Middle Europe
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Southern America click to expand
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
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Southern South America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000385433 |
| UNII | 4Y711UM25Y |
| Tropicos | 1703648 |
| INPN | 109864 |
| Flora of Italy | 3513 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:845253-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2391320 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 314086 |
| Observations.org | 2644 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 254044 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000003693 |
| IPNI | 845253-1 |
| iNaturalist | 82616 |
| GBIF | 6027319 |
| EPPO | OENCR |
| EOL | 31018550 |
| Elurikkus | 575514 |
| USDA GRIN | 406697 |
| Wikipedia | Oenanthe_crocata |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Acetylenes / Acyclic acetylenes / Alkatriynes | |||||
| Heptadeca-2,9-dien-4,6-diyne | 162993530 | Click to see | 228.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Enynes | |||||
| (2E,8E,10E)-2,8,10-Pentadecatriene-4,6-diyne | 92033506 | Click to see | 198.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-2,8,10-trien-4,6-diyne | 153991204 | Click to see CCCCCCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CC | 226.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Pentadeca-2,8,10-triene-4,6-diyne | 71346817 | Click to see | 198.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters | |||||
| [(E,10R)-10-hydroxyheptadec-8-en-4,6-diynyl] acetate | 162926963 | Click to see CCCCCCCC(C=CC#CC#CCCCOC(=O)C)O | 304.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 10-Hydroxyheptadec-8-en-4,6-diynyl acetate | 162926962 | Click to see | 304.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| (4R,5E,7E,13E)-pentadeca-5,7,13-trien-9,11-diyn-4-ol | 163023474 | Click to see CCCC(C=CC=CC#CC#CC=CC)O | 214.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (4R,7E,9E)-undeca-7,9-dien-4-ol | 163105589 | Click to see | 168.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (6R,7E,13E)-pentadeca-7,13-dien-9,11-diyn-6-ol | 163039256 | Click to see | 216.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Pentadeca-5,7,13-trien-9,11-diyn-4-ol | 86132498 | Click to see | 214.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Pentadeca-7,13-diene-9,11-diyn-6-ol | 71357335 | Click to see | 216.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Long-chain fatty alcohols | |||||
| (2E,8E,10E)-heptadeca-2,8,10-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol | 11299501 | Click to see | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (2E,8E,10R)-heptadeca-2,8-dien-4,6-diyne-1,10-diol | 162917062 | Click to see | 260.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (3S,8E,10E)-heptadeca-1,8,10-trien-4,6-diyn-3-ol | 162999782 | Click to see | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (4S,7E,9E,15E)-heptadeca-7,9,15-trien-11,13-diyn-4-ol | 162961057 | Click to see CCCC(CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CC)O | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (7E,9E,15E)-17-hydroxyheptadeca-7,9,15-trien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 122184393 | Click to see CCCC(=O)CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CCO | 256.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (8E,10E,14S)-heptadeca-8,10-dien-4,6-diyne-1,14-diol | 163003183 | Click to see | 260.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (8E,10E)-heptadeca-8,10-dien-4,6-diyn-1-ol | 44359770 | Click to see | 244.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (S)-Falcarinol | 5469789 | Click to see | 244.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (Z)-heptadec-9-en-4,6-diyn-1-ol | 44360001 | Click to see CCCCCCCC=CCC#CC#CCCCO | 246.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| [(2E,8E,10E,14S)-14-hydroxyheptadeca-2,8,10-trien-4,6-diynyl] acetate | 163013720 | Click to see | 300.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| [(8E,10E,14S)-14-hydroxyheptadeca-8,10-dien-4,6-diynyl] acetate | 101424590 | Click to see CCCC(CCC=CC=CC#CC#CCCCOC(=O)C)O | 302.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 1,9-Heptadecadiene-4,6-diyne-3,8-diol | 6436239 | Click to see | 260.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 14-Hydroxyheptadeca-2,8,10-trien-4,6-diynyl acetate | 75082546 | Click to see CCCC(CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CCOC(=O)C)O | 300.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 14-Hydroxyheptadeca-8,10-dien-4,6-diynyl acetate | 163032250 | Click to see | 302.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 17-Hydroxy-7,9-heptadecadiene-11,13-diyn-4-one | 44359771 | Click to see | 258.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 17-Hydroxyheptadec-9-en-11,13-diyn-4-one | 162991378 | Click to see CCCC(=O)CCCCC=CC#CC#CCCCO | 260.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 17-Hydroxyheptadeca-7,9-dien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 54043213 | Click to see | 258.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| 17-Hydroxyheptadeca-7,9,15-trien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 75224290 | Click to see CCCC(=O)CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CCO | 256.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Enanthotoxin, (S)- | 76965857 | Click to see CCCC(CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CCO)O | 258.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadec-9-en-4,6-diyn-1-ol | 54338906 | Click to see | 246.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyn-3-ol | 3322 | Click to see | 244.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyne-3,8-diol | 3321 | Click to see CCCCCCCC=CC(C#CC#CC(C=C)O)O | 260.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-2,8-dien-4,6-diyne-1,10-diol | 162917061 | Click to see CCCCCCCC(C=CC#CC#CC=CCO)O | 260.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-2,8,10-triene-4,6-diyne-1,14-diol | 60470 | Click to see | 258.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-2,9-diene-4,6-diyn-1-ol | 71380905 | Click to see | 244.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-7,9,15-trien-11,13-diyn-4-ol | 78068983 | Click to see | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-8,10-dien-4,6-diyn-1-ol | 54552363 | Click to see CCCCCCC=CC=CC#CC#CCCCO | 244.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-8,10-dien-4,6-diyne-1,14-diol | 74932187 | Click to see | 260.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Oenanthetol | 72789990 | Click to see | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Oenanthotoxin | 44138996 | Click to see CCCC(CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CCO)O | 258.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Aconitane-type diterpenoid alkaloids | |||||
| (1S,2R,3R,5S,8R,9S,10R,13R,17R)-11-ethyl-8-hydroxy-13-methyl-4-methylidene-11-azahexacyclo[7.7.2.12,5.01,10.03,8.013,17]nonadecan-16-one | 162904014 | Click to see CCN1CC2(CCC(=O)C34C2CC(C31)C5(CCC6CC4C5C6=C)O)C | 341.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Hydroxyperezone | 161206 | Click to see | 264.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides | |||||
| Methyl 5,6-dihydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)-1-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 74029651 | Click to see | 422.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Triterpene glycosides / Triterpene saponins | |||||
| [3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl] 10-[3-[4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylate | 133052652 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3C(C(C(OC3OC4CCC5(C(C4(C)CO)CCC6(C5CC=C7C6(CCC8(C7CC(CC8)(C)C)C(=O)OC9C(C(C(C(O9)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)CO)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 1105.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Tetraterpenoids / Carotenoids / Xanthophylls | |||||
| [(1R)-4-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-18-[(1R,4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyloctadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl] (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoate | 162880157 | Click to see CCC=CCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CC(=C(C(C1)(C)C)C=CC(=CC=CC(=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC2C(=CC(CC2(C)C)O)C)C)C)C | 829.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Oxosteroids | |||||
| (4R,5S,8R,9S,10S,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(E,2R)-6-hydroxy-6-methylhept-4-en-2-yl]-4,5,9,13,14-pentamethyl-1,2,4,6,7,8,10,11,12,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one | 162990342 | Click to see CC1C(=O)CCC2C1(CCC3C2(CCC4(C3(CCC4C(C)CC=CC(C)(C)O)C)C)C)C | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones | |||||
| (7E,9E,15E)-heptadeca-7,9,15-trien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 12313692 | Click to see CCCC(=O)CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CC | 240.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| (9E,15E)-heptadec-9,15-trien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 134812115 | Click to see | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-7,9-dien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 162906767 | Click to see CCCC#CC#CC=CC=CCCC(=O)CCC | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-7,9,15-trien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 163085784 | Click to see CCCC(=O)CCC=CC=CC#CC#CC=CC | 240.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| Heptadeca-9,15-dien-11,13-diyn-4-one | 163039404 | Click to see | 242.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBER.19681010405 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside | 5318767 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(01)97853-7 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Sulfated flavonoids / 3-sulfated flavonoids | |||||
| Quercetin 3-sulfate | 5280362 | Click to see | 382.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(01)97853-7 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |