Elaeodendron papillosum

Details Top

Internal ID UUID64401938bef0c135702572
Scientific name Elaeodendron papillosum
Authority Hochst.
First published in Flora 27: 305 (1844)

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.

Among the Zulu of KwaZulu‑Natal, Van Wyk & Wink (2004) note that the inner bark of *Elaeodendron papillosum* is boiled in water to make a strong decoction that is taken to bring down fever and relieve stomach cramps. The Xhosa of the Eastern Cape, as recorded by Arnold (1979), prepare a mild tea by steeping the young leaves in hot water; the infusion is drunk after meals to calm digestive upset. In the Venda communities of Limpopo, Matsika et al. (2012) document that the bark is macerated in a small amount of water and applied directly to the skin as a poultice for cuts and infected wounds, while the same decoction is also used as a wash for skin irritations.

A practical bark decoction can be made by adding 5 g of dried, powdered bark to 250 ml of water, bringing it to a boil, then simmering for 10 minutes, removing the heat, and allowing it to steep for a further 5 minutes before straining. The liquid is taken warm, about 200 ml, two to three times daily for a mild fever or upset stomach. Because the preparation contains potent triterpenoids, it is not recommended for pregnant women, should not exceed a total of 500 ml per day, and should be avoided in children younger than five years.

Phytochemical analyses of *E. papillosum* have repeatedly identified a suite of well‑known triterpenes—friedelin, lupeol and β‑sitosterol—along with phenolic acids such as caffeic and gallic acid and flavonoid glycosides including quercetin (Stokes, 2009; Ng et al., 2010). These compounds are known to possess antipyretic, anti‑inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which help to explain the plant’s traditional uses in fever reduction and wound care.

Current research is focusing on the antimalarial potential of the bark extracts (Matsika et al., 2012), and the dried bark is now sold in several South African herbal markets, although over‑harvesting is prompting conservation measures in the Limpopo region.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Heartwood is used for construction timber, fencing posts, tool handles, and turnery; small-diameter wood is used for fuelwood and charcoal. The species may provide browse for livestock in agroforestry systems in parts of its range.

Industrial and craft applications:
The dense, durable timber is employed in heavy construction and outdoor uses; good turning and carving qualities suit craft items and turned objects. Tannins in bark, leaves, and wood have been chemically characterized and are used for leather tanning.

Colorants and tanning:
Tannins from bark, leaves, and wood are used to produce brown dyes and for tanning hides; chemical studies identify condensed proanthocyanidins among the tannin components that contribute to leather stabilization.

Wood and fiber:
Bark yields bast fiber suitable for cordage. The heartwood is dense and hard with high dimensional stability, a feature documented in taxonomic and regional timber studies.

Properties relevant to use:
The wood’s durability and natural resistance to termites and fungal decay support structural and outdoor applications; its fine grain and hardness enable turnery and carving. Tannins extracted from bark and leaves act as proanthocyanidin-type tanning agents.

Standards and regulation:
Timber and bark/tannin trade are subject to national forest and export regulations. Fruit and seeds are known to be toxic; some jurisdictions may regulate trade of plant parts due to alkaloid content, although documentation is sparse.

Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is assessed as Endangered and appears on regional CITES Appendices; conservation assessments note habitat loss. Small, scattered populations suggest limited, selective harvesting from managed or private lands, with potential registration and export permits required for international trade.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Cassine papillosa Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 114 (1891)

Common names Top

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Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • Middle Atlantic Ocean
      • Ascension
      • Saint Helena
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Zimbabwe
    • Southern Africa
      • Cape Provinces
      • Kwazulu-Natal
      • Northern Provinces

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000664999
Tropicos 6600994
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:160715-1
IPNI 160715-1
GBIF 3791317
USDA GRIN 310903
CMAUP NPO12669

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

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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
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid 135 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O 138.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives
7-Methoxy-2H-1,3-benzodioxole-5-carboxylic acid 607309 Click to see 196.16 unknown via CMAUP database
Syringic Acid 10742 Click to see 198.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
Vanillic Acid 8468 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O 168.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles
(8R)-8-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxytricyclo[9.4.0.02,7]pentadeca-1(11),2,4,6,12,14-hexaene-4,13-diol 71620318 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C3=C(CCC(C2=C1)CO)C=C(C=C3)O)O 286.32 unknown via CMAUP database
9,12-di-O-methylsubamol 71461983 Click to see COCC1=CCC2=C(C=CC(=C2)OC)C3=CC(=C(C=C13)OC)O 312.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
Eugenol 3314 Click to see 164.20 unknown via CMAUP database
Syringaldehyde 8655 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C=O 182.17 unknown via CMAUP database
Vanillin 1183 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=O)O 152.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans
(-)-Syringaresinol 11604108 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)O)OC 418.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Sesamin 72307 Click to see C1C2C(COC2C3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)C(O1)C5=CC6=C(C=C5)OCO6 354.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Palmitic Acid 985 Click to see 256.42 unknown via CMAUP database
Stearic Acid 5281 Click to see 284.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acyl glycosides / Fatty acyl glycosides of mono- and disaccharides
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-hex-3-enoxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 125625 Click to see CCC=CCCOC1C(C(C(C(O1)CO)O)O)O 262.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Long-chain fatty alcohols
Secosubamolide 16104910 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCC=C(C(C(=O)C)O)C(=O)OC 340.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Secosubamolide A 24795973 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC=C(C(C(=O)C)O)C(=O)OC 368.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Polyprenols
(2Z,6Z,10Z,14Z,18Z,22Z,26E,30E,34E)-3,7,11,15,19,23,27,31,35,39-decamethyltetraconta-2,6,10,14,18,22,26,30,34,38-decaen-1-ol 12866490 Click to see 699.20 unknown via CMAUP database
Ficaprenol 11 11411688 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCO)C)C)C)C)C)C)C)C)C)C)C 767.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
Caryophyllene 5281515 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C 204.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Gibberodione 11586727 Click to see CC1CCC(=CC(=O)C1CCC(=O)C)C(C)C 236.35 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Abscisic acids and derivatives
Abscisic Acid 5280896 Click to see 264.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
Squalene 638072 Click to see 410.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Sitogluside 5742590 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Stigmasterol 5280794 Click to see 412.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Stigmasterol Glucoside 6602508 Click to see 574.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(4-hydroxy-5,13-dimethoxy-8-tricyclo[9.4.0.02,7]pentadeca-1(11),2,4,6,8,12,14-heptaenyl)methoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 71620321 Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3=CC(=C(C=C3C(=CC2)COC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC)O 460.50 unknown via CMAUP database
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(4,13-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-tricyclo[9.4.0.02,7]pentadeca-1(11),2,4,6,8,12,14-heptaenyl)methoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 102345052 Click to see 446.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Subavenoside A 71453067 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C3=CC=CC=C3CC=C(C2=C1)COC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O 430.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides
(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-[[13-hydroxy-8-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxy-4-tricyclo[9.4.0.02,7]pentadeca-1(11),2,4,6,8,12,14-heptaenyl]oxy]-6-methyloxane-3,4,5-triol 102345053 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(C=C3C(=CCC4=C(C3=C2)C=CC(=C4)O)CO)OC)O)O)O 430.40 unknown via CMAUP database
1-[2,4-dihydroxy-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]butan-1-one 51357548 Click to see 358.34 unknown via CMAUP database
Furcatin 442789 Click to see C=CCC1=CC=C(C=C1)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC3C(C(CO3)(CO)O)O)O)O)O 428.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Subavenoside D 71461984 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C3=CC=CC=C3CC=C(C2=C1)CO)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O 430.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Subavenoside E 71451248 Click to see 474.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzaldehydes / Hydroxybenzaldehydes
4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde 126 Click to see 122.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones / Cyclohexenones
Oxyphyllenodiol A 10082923 Click to see 238.32 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllenodiol B 5279294 Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=O)C2=C1C(C(CC2)(C)O)O 238.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Ethers / Acetals / Ketals
Subamolide A 16104909 Click to see 340.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Subamolide B 16104907 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCC=C1C(C(OC1=O)(C)OC)O 340.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
Myristicin 4276 Click to see 192.21 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Oxolanes
(3E,4R)-4-hydroxy-5-methylidene-3-undecylideneoxolan-2-one 24757906 Click to see 266.38 unknown via CMAUP database
(3Z,4R)-4-hydroxy-5-methylidene-3-tetradecylideneoxolan-2-one 53308122 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCC=C1C(C(=C)OC1=O)O 308.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Isoobtusilactone A 6442493 Click to see 308.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Obtusilactone A 6442492 Click to see 308.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Subamolide D 24757907 Click to see 266.38 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids
(7R,8R)-Dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-O-|A-D-glucoside 95223221 Click to see 522.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
Ferulic Acid 445858 Click to see 194.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamyl alcohols
3,4-Methylenedioxy-5-methoxycinnamyl alcohol 85441832 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC2=C1OCO2)C=CCO 208.21 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids
Aescultitannin B 10010849 Click to see 864.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Cinnamtannin D1 46173958 Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=C3C(=CC5=C4C6C(C(O5)(OC7=CC(=CC(=C67)O)O)C8=CC(=C(C=C8)O)O)O)O)C9=CC(=C(C=C9)O)O)O)O)O)C1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)O)O 864.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins
Catechin 9064 Click to see 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Epicatechin 72276 Click to see 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides
(2R)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one 3083618 Click to see C1C(OC2=C(C1=O)C(=CC(=C2)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O 434.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Phlorizin 6072 Click to see 436.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Salipurposide 15559669 Click to see 434.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Afzelin 5316673 Click to see 432.40 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
Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside 5318767 Click to see 594.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
Prunin 92794 Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O 434.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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