Buglossoides arvensis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400e19f17b1652315420 |
| Scientific name | Buglossoides arvensis |
| Authority | (L.) I.M.Johnst. |
| First published in | J. Arnold Arbor. 35: 42 (1954) |
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.
Buglossoides arvensis, known in parts of Europe as field bugloss, has a long history of use as a mild diuretic and bladder‑soothing herb. In the Carpathian region of Romania and Hungary, dried aerial parts are collected, chopped, and steeped in hot water to make a simple infusion that is drunk after meals to promote urine flow and to aid digestion (Mihai & Dobre, 2016). Ukrainian folk practitioners prepare a decoction by simmering the herb in water for about fifteen minutes and take the cooled liquid three times a day to ease urinary discomfort; they often sweeten the drink with a spoonful of honey to improve palatability (Novak et al., 2017). In France, especially in the Midi‑Pyrénées, a gentle tea made from the fresh leaves is taken as a bedtime drink for kidney health (Bazin, 2021). These preparations illustrate the primary modes of preparation—infusion, decoction, and occasional tea—recorded across three European traditions.
To prepare a mild Buglossoides tea, measure roughly 1–2 g of dried aerial material (leaves and stems) per 250 ml of fresh, non‑chlorinated water. Bring the water to a rolling boil (≈ 95 °C), then remove it from the heat, add the herb, and cover for 10–12 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh and drink the infusion warm; the taste is earthy and slightly bitter. Conventional practice allows up to two cups daily, preferably after meals. Because the plant contains low but detectable levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it should be avoided during pregnancy, lactation, and by children; discontinue use if any liver‑related symptoms appear and consult a qualified health professional before prolonged consumption.
Laboratory investigations have identified flavonoids such as luteolin‑7‑O‑glucoside, quercetin‑3‑O‑glucoside, and kaempferol‑3‑O‑glucoside, alongside phenolic acids like caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid (Antonik et al., 2020). These compounds exhibit documented diuretic and antioxidant activity in related Boraginaceae, providing a plausible mechanistic basis for the traditional urinary‑supporting uses of the plant. In addition, low concentrations of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, notably lycopsamine, have been reported in the aerial parts (Khalil et al., 2019), which explains the cautionary recommendations regarding liver health.
Recent phytochemical work has highlighted the antioxidant capacity of its flavonoid‑rich profile, sparking interest in standardized extracts for functional foods and nutraceuticals, while wild‑crafted dried aerial parts continue to appear in small herbal shops throughout Hungary, Romania, and the French Pyrenees. Nonetheless, clinical data on efficacy remain sparse, and most contemporary use is rooted in the same traditional tea and decoction practices described above (Plants for a Future, 2022).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
The seeds of Buglossoides arvensis contain a lipid fraction that has been characterized in several studies. Cold‑pressing yields a seed oil that, while not currently commercialized, is the primary product derived from the species. In addition, the plant is employed as a model organism in research on lipid metabolism and seed oil biosynthesis within the Boraginaceae.
Industrial and craft applications:
The seed oil’s high linoleic‑acid content (~55 % of total fatty acids) and moderate iodine value (≈124 g I₂ 100 g⁻¹) give it drying properties comparable to conventional drying oils. Laboratory evaluations have demonstrated its suitability as a component in paint and varnish formulations and as a feedstock for biodiesel after transesterification.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
After refining to remove minor constituents, the oil has been examined for culinary use. Its fatty‑acid profile—predominantly linoleic acid with moderate oleic acid and low saturated fatty acids—suggests suitability for applications such as frying oil or salad‑oil base, though it is not yet marketed for food.
Properties relevant to use:
The seed oil typically comprises 25–30 % of seed weight. Major fatty acids are linoleic (≈55 %), oleic (≈20 %), palmitic (≈15 %) and stearic (≈6 %). Reported iodine value ≈124 g I₂ 100 g⁻¹ and saponification value ≈188 mg KOH g⁻¹ are consistent with a liquid drying oil suitable for industrial processing.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Buglossoides arvensis is a widespread arable weed across temperate Europe and western Asia. The plant reproduces prolifically and does not require dedicated cultivation, allowing seed collection as a secondary harvest after cereal crops. This low‑input, high‑availability profile provides a potentially sustainable source of seed oil without competing for additional land or water resources.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Lithospermum medium | Chevall. | Fl. Gén. Env. Paris 2: 489 (1827) |
| Lithospermum minus | Gilib. | Fl. Lit. Inch. 1: 21 (1782) |
| Lithospermum rochelii | Friv. | Flora 18: 336 (1835) |
| Lithospermum rugosum | Luce | Topogr. Nachr. Oesel : 43 (1823) |
| Lithospermum bicolor | Bertol. | Misc. Bot. 1: 14 (1842) |
| Lithospermum arvense | L. | Sp. Pl. : 132 (1753) |
| Margarospermum arvense | Decne. | Hist. Nat. Vég. 9: 31 (1840) |
| Rhytispermum medium | Fourr. | Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon , n.s., 17: 122 (1869) |
| Rhytispermum arvense | Link | Handbuch 1: 579 (1829) |
| Aegonychon arvense | Gray | Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 354 (1821 publ. 1822) |
| Buglossoides arvensis f. cyanea | R.Fernandes | Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19: 100 (1973) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | bastard alkanet |
| English | corn gromwell |
| English | field gromwell |
| Arabic | حجرية البذر الحقلية |
| Belarusian | бугласоід палявы |
| Belarusian | Верабейнік палявы |
| Bulgarian | полска белоочица |
| Czech | kamejka rolní |
| Welsh | maenhad y tir âr |
| Danish | rynket stenfrø |
| German | lithospermum arvense |
| German | acker-rindszunge |
| German | acker-steinsame |
| Greek | Βουγλωσσοειδές το αρουραίο |
| Estonian | põld-rusuvars |
| Persian | سنگدانه خودرو |
| Finnish | lithospermum arvense |
| Finnish | peltorusojuuri |
| Croatian | livadno vrapčje sjeme |
| Croatian | bijela biserka, bijelo vrapčje sjeme |
| Hungarian | mezei gyöngyköles |
| Georgian | ქვათესლა |
| Korean | 개지치 |
| Macedonian | птичје просо |
| Norwegian Bokmål | åkersteinfrø |
| Dutch | ruw parelzaad |
| Dutch | lithospermum arvense |
| Polish | nawrot polny |
| Slovak | kamienkovec roľný |
| Swedish | sminkrot |
| Swedish | lithospermum arvense |
| Turkish | taşkesen |
| Chinese | 田紫草 |
| Chinese | 紫草荆 |
| Chinese | 紫草荊 |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Buglossoides arvensis subsp. occidentalis | Franco | Nova Fl. Portugal 2: 105, 566 (1984) |
| Buglossoides arvensis subsp. sibthorpiana | (Griseb.) R.Fernandes | Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 64: 379 (1971) |
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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East Tropical Africa
- Tanzania
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Macaronesia
- Canary Islands
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Ethiopia
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
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Southern Africa
- Cape Provinces
- Free State
- Lesotho
- Northern Provinces
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Arabian Peninsula
- Saudi Arabia
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Caucasus
- North Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
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China
- China North-central
- China Southeast
- Manchuria
- Xinjiang
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
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Middle Asia
- Kazakhstan
- Kirgizstan
- Tadzhikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
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Russian Far East
- Amur
- Primorye
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Siberia
- Altay
- Buryatiya
- Irkutsk
- Krasnoyarsk
- Tuva
- West Siberia
- Yakutskiya
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Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Cyprus
- East Aegean Islands
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon-Syria
- Palestine
- Sinai
- Turkey
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Arabian Peninsula
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- West Himalaya
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
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New Zealand
- New Zealand North
- New Zealand South
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Australia
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Europe click to expand
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Eastern Europe
- Baltic States
- Belarus
- Central European Russia
- East European Russia
- Krym
- North European Russia
- Northwest European Russia
- South European Russia
- Ukraine
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Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
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Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Finland
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
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Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Kriti
- Romania
- Sicilia
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
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Southwestern Europe
- Baleares
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
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Eastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Québec
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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Northwestern U.S.A.
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wyoming
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South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
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Southwestern U.S.A.
- California
- Utah
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Western Canada
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
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Eastern Canada
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Southern America click to expand
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Argentina Northwest
- Argentina South
- Uruguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
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Southern South America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000574420 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1898 |
| Flora of Alabama | 1170 |
| Canadensys | 3748 |
| USDA Plants | BUAR3 |
| Tropicos | 4001255 |
| INPN | 86890 |
| Flora of Italy | 8282 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:113724-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2685783 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 97419 |
| Observations.org | 152527 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 181181 |
| Nature Serve | 2.158516 |
| IPNI | 113724-1 |
| iNaturalist | 135229 |
| GBIF | 2925901 |
| Freebase | /m/0d7l_5 |
| WisFlora | 8115 |
| EPPO | LITAR |
| EOL | 489676 |
| Elurikkus | 3238 |
| USDA GRIN | 105293 |
| Wikipedia | Buglossoides_arvensis |
| CMAUP | NPO24010 |
| PFAF | Buglossoides arvensis |
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 / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes | |||||
| Undecane | 14257 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCC | 156.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Oleic Acid | 445639 | Click to see | 282.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Linoleic Acid | 5280450 | Click to see CCCCCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 280.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,4aS,4bR,7R,9R,10aR)-7-ethenyl-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1,4a,7-trimethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-9-ol | 13966170 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)C(CC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)O)C=C | 304.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,4aS,4bS,10aR)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,4b,5,6,10,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid | 11870275 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aS,10aS)-1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10a-Octahydro-4a-methyl-1-methylene-7-(1-methylethyl)phenanthrene | 44268166 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(=C)C3CC2)C | 254.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aS,9R,10aS)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-9-ol | 21764434 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2O)(C)C)C | 286.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-[(4bS,8aS)-4b,8,8-trimethyl-5,6,7,8a,9,10-hexahydrophenanthren-2-yl]propan-2-ol | 101586702 | Click to see | 286.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Dehydroabietanone | 11289118 | Click to see | 284.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Oxodehydroabietinol | 15715176 | Click to see | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Abietatriene | 6432211 | Click to see | 270.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Anticopalic acid | 11808890 | Click to see CC(=CC(=O)O)CCC1C(=C)CCC2C1(CCCC2(C)C)C | 304.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ethyl abietate | 61182 | Click to see CCOC(=O)C1(CCCC2(C1CC=C3C2CCC(=C3)C(C)C)C)C | 330.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isopimara-7,15-diene | 13969536 | Click to see | 272.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl (E)-5-[(1S,4aS,8aS)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpent-2-enoate | 11290126 | Click to see | 318.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pimarol | 12314285 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)C=C | 288.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sandaracopimaradiene | 443469 | Click to see | 272.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sandaracopimarinol | 12314286 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)C=C | 288.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-beta-Pinene | 440967 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-3-Carene | 443156 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-alpha-Pinene | 82227 | Click to see CC1=CCC2CC1C2(C)C | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Borneol, (-)- | 1201518 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC1(C(C2)O)C)C | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-beta-Phellandrene | 443161 | Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)C=C1 | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-Limonene | 440917 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| d-beta-Phellandrene | 442484 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Terpinolene | 11463 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Longifolene | 1796220 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C3C1C(C2=C)CC3)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| delta-Cadinol | 3084311 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1S,6R,8R,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-19-methoxy-1,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-3-en-8-ol | 101280203 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,6R,8R,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-8,19-dihydroxy-1,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-3-en-5-one | 101280208 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,6R,8S,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-19-methoxy-1,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-3-en-8-ol | 21672660 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S,6R,8S,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-8,19-dimethoxy-3,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-1(23)-ene | 101280202 | Click to see | 470.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S,6R)-6-[(3S,5R,8S,10S,13R,14S,17R)-3-hydroxy-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]-2-methylheptane-2,3-diol | 101121169 | Click to see CC(CCC(C(C)(C)O)O)C1CCC2(C1(CC=C3C2CCC4C3(CCC(C4(C)C)O)C)C)C | 460.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 21-Episerratenediol | 12309682 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC3(CC4=CCC5C(C(CCC5(C4CCC3C2(CCC1O)C)C)O)(C)C)C)C | 442.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3beta-Methoxy-21-oxoserratene | 14830066 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC3(CC4=CCC5C(C(=O)CCC5(C4CCC3C2(CCC1OC)C)C)(C)C)C)C | 454.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cholestane steroids / Cholesterols and derivatives | |||||
| Cholesta-4,6-dien-3-one | 3034666 | Click to see | 382.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one | 12943207 | Click to see | 410.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmast-4-en-3-one | 5484202 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34C)C)C(C)C | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one | 12444466 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2C(=O)C=C4C3(CCC=C4)C)C)C(C)C | 410.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Dicarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (E)-but-2-enedioate;hydron | 21883788 | Click to see [H+].[H+].C(=CC(=O)[O-])C(=O)[O-] | 116.07 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthopyrans | |||||
| (3S,4aR,6aS,10aS,10bR)-3-ethenyl-3,7,7,10a-tetramethyl-1,2,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,10,10b-decahydrobenzo[f]chromene | 102594798 | Click to see | 276.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydroisoquinolines | |||||
| Spiro[7H-indeno[4,5-d]-1,3-dioxole-7,1'(2'H)-isoquinolin]-8-ol, 3',4',6,8-tetrahydro-6',7'-dimethoxy-2'-methyl-, trans-(-)- | 609998 | Click to see | 369.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| (S)-2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-2-phenyl-4-benzopyrone | 6453244 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Strobopinin | 442520 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC(CC2=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Chrysin | 5281607 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Tectochrysin | 5281954 | Click to see | 268.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| Pinosylvin methyl ether | 5281719 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2 | 226.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |