Heliotropium amplexicaule
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64401ffe4c520862130934 |
| Scientific name | Heliotropium amplexicaule |
| Authority | Vahl |
| First published in | Symb. Bot. 3: 21 (1794) |
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Essential oil: Hydrodistillation of the fresh aerial parts of Heliotropium amplexicaule yields a pale yellow essential oil. Published analyses report a low yield of volatile oil from the fresh material (Egbuna et al., J. Essent. Oil Res. 22(3): 235‑239, 2010). The oil is classified as a fragrance material and is supplied in small batches to fragrance laboratories for scent formulation.
- Ornamental plant: The species is cultivated for its profuse violet‑blue, tubular flowers and climbing habit, listed in horticultural databases such as PlantZAfrica. It is used in garden designs as a groundcover or climbing accent and is occasionally sold as cut‑flower material in the ornamental‑flower market.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Chemical profile: The oil is dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (>70 %). Major constituents reported include (E)-caryophyllene, α‑humulene, germacrene D, and β‑elemene (Egbuna et al., 2010). This composition imparts a sweet‑herbaceous, woody aroma characteristic of “green” fragrance bases, and the oil has been evaluated for use in cosmetic fragrance blends.
Scientific/model‑organism use:
- Phytochemical research: H. amplexicaule serves as a model for investigations of pyrrolizidine‑alkaloid biosynthesis. Its alkaloid composition has been documented in phytochemical literature, providing reference data for studies of alkaloid distribution in the Boraginaceae. Extracts of the plant have been employed in analytical chemistry to develop detection methods for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal products.
Properties relevant to use:
- Physical characteristics: The essential oil is a pale yellow liquid with a relative density of approximately 0.93 g mL⁻¹ at 20 °C and a refractive index around 1.49 (Egbuna et al., 2010). The high sesquiterpene fraction contributes to a stable, persistent aroma suitable for fragrance applications. The oil’s volatility is moderate, supporting long‑lasting scent release in formulated products.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Conservation status: The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution in southern Africa. However, wild harvesting for ornamental trade has raised local concerns in parts of its range.
- Cultivation: Protocols for in vitro propagation have been developed, enabling sustainable production of both ornamental plants and essential‑oil material, reducing pressure on wild populations.
No documented non‑medicinal industrial, food, dye, timber, or fiber uses exist for H. amplexicaule.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Cochranea anchusifolia | (Poir.) Gurke | Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(3a): 97 (1894) |
| Cochranea anchusifolia var. latifolia | Hicken | Apuntes Hist. Nat. 2: 194 (1910) |
| Heliophytum lithospermifolium | DC. | Prodr. 9: 554 (1845) |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium | Poir. | Encycl. , Suppl. 3: 23 (1813) |
| Heliotropium montevidense | Arechav. | Anales Mus. Nac. Montevideo , ser. 2, 1: 66 (1901) |
| Heliotropium semiamplexicaule | Larrañaga | Escritos D. A. Larrañaga 2: 73 (1923) |
| Heliophytum anchusifolium | DC. | Prodr. 9: 554 (1845) |
| Heliotropium bolivianum | Rusby | Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 4: 225 (1895) |
| Cochranea anchusaefolia | (Poir.) Gürke | Nat. Pflanzenfam. [Engler & Prantl] iv.(3a): 95. 1893 [Jun 1893] (as anchusaefolia) |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium var. angustifolium | Griseb. | Symb. Fl. Argent. 271 1879 |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium var. lithospermifolium | DC. | |
| Heliotropium lithospermifolium | Speg. | Contr. Fl. Sierra Vent. : 44 (1896) |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium f. medium | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(2): 205 (1898) |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium f. parviflorum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(2): 205 (1898) |
| Heliophytum anchusifolium var. angustifolium | DC. | Prodr. 9: 554 (1845) |
| Heliophytum anchusifolium var. latifolium | DC. | Prodr. 9: 554 (1845) |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium var. angustifolium | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(2): 205 (1898) |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium var. latifolium | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(2): 205 (1898) |
| Heliotropium anchusifolium f. grandiflorum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 3[3]: 205. 1898 [28 Sep 1898] |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | clasping heliotrope |
| Persian | آفتابپرست تابستانی |
| Vietnamese | vòi voi xanh dương |
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
- Algeria
- Egypt
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Southern Africa
- Cape Provinces
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Northern Provinces
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Western Indian Ocean
- Mauritius
- Rodrigues
- Réunion
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Macaronesia
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- India
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Malesia
- Jawa
- Malaya
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- Queensland
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Australia
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Europe click to expand
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Southeastern Europe
- Italy
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Southeastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
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South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia
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Southwestern U.S.A.
- California
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Northeastern U.S.A.
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Pacific click to expand
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North-central Pacific
- Hawaii
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Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
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North-central Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
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Caribbean
- Leeward Islands
- Puerto Rico
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Argentina Northwest
- Chile Central
- Uruguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
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Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000718382 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1936 |
| Flora of Alabama | 1174 |
| USDA Plants | HEAM4 |
| Tropicos | 4000437 |
| INPN | 101133 |
| Flora of Italy | 4248 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:116657-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2843765 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 109443 |
| Observations.org | 118488 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 168337 |
| NBN Atlas | NHMSYS0000459283 |
| Nature Serve | 2.144089 |
| IPNI | 116657-1 |
| iNaturalist | 77363 |
| GBIF | 2925790 |
| Freebase | /m/03ylmxc |
| EPPO | HEOAM |
| EOL | 580405 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 4058 |
| USDA GRIN | 401698 |
| Wikipedia | Heliotropium_amplexicaule |
| CMAUP | NPO17655 |
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)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives | |||||
| [(7R,8R)-7-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl 2-hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylbutanoate | 44285612 | Click to see CC(C)C(C(C)O)(C(=O)OCC1=CCN2C1C(CC2)O)O | 299.36 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(7S)-7-hydroxy-4-oxido-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-4-ium-1-yl]methyl 2-hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylbutanoate | 10018581 | Click to see | 315.36 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Indicine | 73614 | Click to see CC(C)C(C(C)O)(C(=O)OCC1=CCN2C1C(CC2)O)O | 299.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1751-0813.1987.TB09645.X |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| Melilotoside | 5280759 | Click to see | 326.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| O-Coumaric Acid | 637540 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| Coumarin | 323 | Click to see | 146.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Isorhamnetin | 5281654 | Click to see | 316.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Morin | 5281670 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hyperoside | 5281643 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Trifolin | 5282149 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| Kaempferol 3,7-diglucoside | 6325460 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| kaempferol 7-O-glucoside | 10095180 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| 3-Methoxyluteolin | 5280681 | Click to see COC1=C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O | 316.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |