Amaranthus hypochondriacus
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644008bf8455c363975107 |
| Scientific name | Amaranthus hypochondriacus |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 991 (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.
Traditional uses – In the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico, Nahuatl‑speaking families collect fresh leaves of Amaranthus hypochondriacus, briefly boil them, and drink the resulting infusion as a mild tea to relieve stomach discomfort after meals (Guevara‑Figueroa et al., 2021). Among Andean communities in Peru, a decoction of the dried leaves is simmered for about fifteen minutes and taken two to three times a day to lower fever and to curb dysentery (Quintana et al., 2016). In the Cordillera region of the Philippines, fresh leaf tissue is crushed into a thick paste and applied directly to minor cuts and burns, where it is believed to reduce swelling and promote healing (Herre, 2015).
Each preparation uses a different plant part and solvent. The Mexican hot‑water infusion extracts water‑soluble flavonoids and phenolic acids from the leaf tissue, while the Andean decoction concentrates the same constituents over a longer heat exposure, delivering a stronger dose for febrile conditions. The Filipino poultice relies on the fresh juice of the leaf, which contains betalains and saponins that can be absorbed through the skin. The three approaches illustrate the versatility of A. hypochondriacus across cultures, all employing simple home‑scale techniques that are still taught to younger generations.
A concise tea recipe suitable for home use is: combine 10 g of dried, finely chopped leaves (or 30 g of fresh leaves) with 200 ml of just‑boiled water, cover, and steep for 5–10 minutes before straining. The resulting tea is mildly sweet and can be consumed warm, up to two cups per day. Safety note: people with a known amaranth allergy should avoid the preparation; pregnant or nursing women are advised to limit consumption to a single cup per day and to consult a health professional before use.
Modern analyses of A. hypochondriacus confirm the presence of quercetin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p‑coumaric acid, betanin and other betalains, as well as triterpenoid saponins (Kaur et al., 2017). These compounds display antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and antimicrobial activities that align with the historical therapeutic claims. While the plant remains a staple grain in many markets and is cultivated for its high‑protein seed, research continues to evaluate its leaf extracts for nutraceutical applications, and the traditional tea and poultice are still prepared in local households and small‑scale herbal enterprises.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Amaranthus anardana | Buch.-Ham. | Numer. List [Wallich] n. 6903. 1832 |
| Amaranthus atrosanguineus | Hort.Lugd. | (1838) ex Moq. in DC. Prod. xiii. II. 266. |
| Amaranthus aureus | Besser | Cat. Jard. Bot. Krzemieniec : 8 (1816) |
| Amaranthus bernhardii | Moq. | Prodr. 13(2): 258 (1849) |
| Amaranthus flavus | L. | Syst. Nat. ed. 10 , 2: 1269 (1759) |
| Amaranthus frumentaceus | Buch.-Ham. | Fl. Ind. ed. 1832 , 3: 699 (1832) |
| Amaranthus hybridus | Vell. | Fl. Flumin. Icon. 10: t. 28. 1831 [1827 publ. 29 Oct 1831] |
| Amaranthus hybridus var. erythrostachys | Moq. | Prodr. 13(2): 259 (1849) |
| Amaranthus hybridus f. hypochondriacus | (L.) B.L.Rob. | Rhodora 10: 66. 1908 [16 May 1908] |
| Amaranthus hybridus var. hypochondriacus | (L.) B.L.Rob. | Rhodora 10: 32 (1908) |
| Amaranthus hybridus subsp. hypochondriacus | (L.) Thell. | Fl. Advent. Montpellier 204. 1912 |
| Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. macrostachys | Moq. | Prodr. 13(2): 256 (1849) |
| Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. monstrosus | Moq. | Prodr. 13(2): 256 (1849) |
| Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. racemosus | Moq. | Prodr. 13(2): 256 (1849) |
| Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. tortuosus | Moq. | Prodr. 13(2): 256 (1849) |
| Amaranthus macrostachyus | Mérat ex Moq. | Prodr. 13(2): 256 (1849) |
| Amaranthus monstrosus | Cat. | Hort. Div. (1837); Hort. Tonelle, ex Moq. in DC. Prod. xiii. II. 256. |
| Amaranthus hybridus f. hypochondiacus | (L.) B.L.Rob. | Rhodora 10: 66. 1908 [16 May 1908] |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | prince-of-wales feather |
| Arabic | قطيفة شبه غضروفية |
| Czech | laskavec červenoklasý |
| Welsh | blodyn amor pruddglwyfus |
| German | trauer-amarant |
| Finnish | amarantti |
| Finnish | meksikonrevonhäntä |
| Upper Sorbian | Žarowacy šćěrjenc |
| Hungarian | piros amaránt |
| Hungarian | piros disznóparéj |
| Japanese | シロミセンニンコク |
| Japanese | アマランツス・ハイポコンドリアカス |
| Swedish | toppamarant |
| Chinese | 老枪谷子 |
| Chinese | 籽粒苋 |
| Chinese | 千穗谷 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. powellii | (S.Watson) Pedersen | Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 74: 1245 (1999) |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
| protect from damping off; grow cool |
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
- Kenya
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Morocco
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Southern Africa
- Cape Provinces
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Congo
- Zaïre
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Caucasus
- North Caucasus
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China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Inner Mongolia
- Manchuria
- Xinjiang
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Western Asia
- East Aegean Islands
- Iran
- Lebanon-Syria
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Caucasus
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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New Zealand
- New Zealand North
- New Zealand South
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New Zealand
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Europe click to expand
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Eastern Europe
- Baltic States
- Belarus
- East European Russia
- Northwest European Russia
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Middle Europe
- Austria
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Netherlands
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Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Finland
- Norway
- Sweden
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Southeastern Europe
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Kriti
- Romania
- Sicilia
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Southwestern Europe
- France
- Sardegna
- Spain
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Eastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- Ontario
- Québec
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southwest
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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South-central U.S.A.
- New Mexico
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Florida
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Southwestern U.S.A.
- Arizona
- California
- Utah
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Western Canada
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
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Eastern Canada
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Pacific click to expand
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South-central Pacific
- Cook Islands
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Southwestern Pacific
- Nauru
- Vanuatu
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South-central Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
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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-0000530285 |
| UNII | YL06Y84R9Z |
| Canadensys | 27774 |
| USDA Plants | AMHY2 |
| Tropicos | 1100009 |
| INPN | 81994 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:10665-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-2632908 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 22343 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 28502 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000141566 |
| Nature Serve | 2.128128 |
| IPNI | 10665-2 |
| iNaturalist | 75396 |
| GBIF | 6109718 |
| Freebase | /m/0872cl |
| WisFlora | 2498 |
| EPPO | AMAHP |
| EOL | 585514 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 11322 |
| USDA GRIN | 2796 |
| Wikipedia | Amaranthus_hypochondriacus |
| CMAUP | NPO623 |
| PFAF | Amaranthus hypochondriacus |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_977020195.1 | Ahypochondriacus_v3 | Chromosome | University of Cologne | 2025-11-07 | 60 | 414.72 Mb |
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!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Betalains / Betacyanins and derivatives | |||||
| Amaranthin | 6325284 | Click to see C1C(NC(=CC1=CC=[N+]2C(CC3=CC(=C(C=C32)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)C(=O)O)O)O)O)C(=O)[O-])C(=O)O)C(=O)O | 726.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1745-4514.1995.TB00538.X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters | |||||
| Methyl 3-phenylpropionate | 7643 | Click to see COC(=O)CCC1=CC=CC=C1 | 164.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (3R)-5-[(1R,2R,4aS,8aS)-2-hydroxy-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpentanoic acid | 11868539 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S)-5-[(1S,4aS,8aR)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-4-oxo-4a,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpentanoic acid | 93233226 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2C(CCCC2(C1CCC(C)CC(=O)O)C)(C)C | 320.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanediol | 11130717 | Click to see | 310.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanic Acid | 11186394 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanic Acid Methyl Ester | 7057547 | Click to see | 338.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Quinone and hydroquinone lipids / Vitamin E compounds / Tocopherols | |||||
| Alpha-Tocopherol | 14985 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(CCC(O2)(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C)C(=C1O)C)C | 430.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536726 |
| Covi-Ox | 6560141 | Click to see | 430.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536726 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Quinone and hydroquinone lipids / Vitamin E compounds / Tocotrienols | |||||
| beta-Tocotrienol | 5282348 | Click to see | 410.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536726 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Ledum camphor | 92812 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Viridiflorol | 11996452 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Diterpene glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(2S,3R,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aS,12aS,14aR,14bR)-2-hydroxy-4,4,6a,6b,14b-pentamethyl-11-methylidene-8a-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-yl]oxy]-3,5-dihydroxy-4-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid | 163094427 | Click to see | 941.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| Amaranthussaponin III | 131753078 | Click to see | 941.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Triterpene glycosides / Triterpene saponins | |||||
| Amaranthussaponin I | 131753081 | Click to see | 957.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| Amaranthussaponin II | 131753116 | Click to see | 971.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| beta-D-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (2beta,3beta,4alpha)-28-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxy-23,28-dioxoolean-12-en-3-yl 3-O-(6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl)- | 102438527 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(OC(C2O)OC3C(CC4(C(C3(C)C=O)CCC5(C4CC=C6C5(CCC7(C6CC(CC7)(C)C)C(=O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)O)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O | 971.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| beta-D-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (2beta,3beta)-28-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxy-28-oxoolean-12-en-3-yl 3-O-(6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl)- | 102438528 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(OC(C2O)OC3C(CC4(C(C3(C)C)CCC5(C4CC=C6C5(CCC7(C6CC(CC7)(C)C)C(=O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)O)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O | 957.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cholestane steroids / Cholesterols and derivatives | |||||
| Cholesterol | 5997 | Click to see | 386.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81167-X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives | |||||
| 24-Methylene-9beta,19-cyclo-lanostan-3beta-ol | 9547213 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81167-X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,8S,9S,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5,6-dimethylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 134766514 | Click to see | 400.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JSFA.2740580210 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroidal glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(2S,3R,4S,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aS,12aS,14aR,14bR)-4-formyl-2-hydroxy-4,6a,6b,14b-tetramethyl-11-methylidene-8a-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-yl]oxy]-3,5-dihydroxy-4-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid | 162935175 | Click to see | 955.00 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| Amaranthussaponin IV | 131753114 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(OC(C2O)OC3C(CC4(C(C3(C)C=O)CCC5(C4CC=C6C5(CCC7(C6CC(=C)CC7)C(=O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)O)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O | 955.00 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2609 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JSFA.2740580210 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthofurans | |||||
| (3aS,5aR,9aS,9bR)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1H-benzo[e][1]benzofuran | 12838593 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CCO3)C)C)C | 236.39 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 8,12-Epoxy-13,14,15,16-tetranorlabdane | 11861328 | Click to see | 236.39 | 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 |
| Myricetin | 5281672 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 318.23 | 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 | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5315208 | Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 596.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one | 42613954 | 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)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 626.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-((6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 102148697 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 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 |
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside | 5318767 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| myricetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 5318606 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 480.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricetin-3-O-rutinoside | 21577860 | Click to see | 626.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Isokaempferide | 5280862 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 4-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Acacetin | 5280442 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ermanin | 5352001 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC | 314.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Genkwanin | 5281617 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Jaranol | 5318869 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC(=C(C2=O)OC)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)O | 314.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Phenylpropanoic acids | |||||
| Benzenepropanoic acid | 107 | Click to see | 150.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |