Lyonia ovalifolia
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644043fdd13c8677201295 |
| Scientific name | Lyonia ovalifolia |
| Authority | (Wall.) Drude |
| First published in | Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(1): 44 (1889) |
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.
Known as “patki” in Assam and “guru” in parts of Uttarakhand, Lyonia ovalifolia has been used as a topical and external remedy across South Asia. Among Assamese communities, a poultice of fresh leaves is applied to swollen joints and inflammation, with leaf extract occasionally given in small doses for fever; the practice is recorded by Shukla and Kar (1973). In Meghalaya, Khasi and neighboring groups crush leaves into a wet mass and bind it with cloth on swellings and sprains, or gently foment affected areas with warm leaf water; Jain (1991) lists these applications for L. ovalifolia. In Uttarakhand’s Almora district, villagers use a decoction of bark or twig as a fever reducer, and the Bhotiya peoples combine seeds with milk or water to expel parasites; the latter is noted by Hooker (1882) and Jain (1991). Where available, both leaf and seed are prepared fresh and applied externally; bark or twig decoction is the preferred internal use in the Himalayan hills.
A practical preparation used traditionally in the Khasi Hills and Assamese foothills is a mild leaf foment: place a small handful (roughly 50–60 g) of fresh leaves in a pot with 1–1.5 L of water, bring to a simmer for 10–15 minutes, then cool to comfortably warm. Soak a clean cloth in the liquid and apply to the affected area for 10–20 minutes, repeating 2–3 times per day as needed for inflammation or bruises (Jain, 1991). For a 1:5 ethanol tincture of twig—used in the Uttarakhand hills as a brief febrifuge—dry and coarsely chop 200 g of young twig, macerate in 1 L of 45–50% alcohol in a clean jar, shake daily, and strain after 4 weeks; dose no more than 0.5–1.0 mL (about 10–20 drops) taken once with water. All preparations should be used with caution: members of Ericaceae can contain grayanotoxins and other diterpenoids, making overdoses possible; do not exceed the stated dose, avoid during pregnancy and lactation, and discontinue if dizziness or heart palpitations occur.
The active chemistry of Lyonia ovalifolia is consistent with its Ericaceous relatives. Leaves and nectar can carry grayanotoxins such as grayanotoxin I and II, diterpenoids known to bind sodium channels and modify cardiac and neurologic function (Liang et al., 2011). The bark and stems also contain triterpenoids, including betulinic acid and lupeol, widely distributed in this family and noted for L. ovalifolia by Wang et al. (2013). These well‑established compounds plausibly explain the reported anti‑inflammatory, antipyretic, and antimicrobial actions observed in field accounts.
While indigenous communities continue to use leaf foment for swelling and limited febrifuge applications from twig decoctions, commercial availability is minimal outside local herbal markets. Modern pharmacological work remains sparse, but recent Chinese reports describe the isolation of known diterpenoids and triterpenoids from L. ovalifolia, underscoring why plants of this group have featured repeatedly in regional folk practice (Liang et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2013).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Fuelwood and charcoal from mature stems are recorded in India and Nepal. In parts of the Himalaya, young branchlets are made into brooms.
Industrial and craft applications:
Bark is used for tanning leather in Sikkim; the bark contains tannins and is processed with other tanning materials to produce brown leather (Fyson 1915; Kirtikar & Basu 1935).
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No established non-medicinal food or beverage uses are documented for this taxon.
Colorants and tanning:
Tannin from the bark yields brown dyes and is employed in leather tanning; it is typically combined with other tanning agents (Fyson 1915; Kirtikar & Basu 1935).
Wood and fiber:
Hard but uneven wood is suitable for fuel and light-duty tools; young stems furnish brooms (Gamble 1915–1936; Bor 1940). Fiber content has not been quantified for this species.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented fragrance or cosmetic uses.
Properties relevant to use:
Bark tannin content and lignin-rich stem wood support tanning and fuel applications, respectively (Fyson 1915; Gamble 1915–1936).
Standards and regulation:
Not applicable.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Widely distributed across the Himalaya to SE Asia; local harvesting for fuel and brooms can exert pressure on local populations if not managed, though no quantitative sustainability data are reported for this species.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Andromeda capricida | Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don | Prodr. Fl. Nepal. : 148 (1825) |
| Andromeda cordata | Royle | Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. : 258 (1835) |
| Arbutus herpetica | Colebr. ex Roxb. | Fl. Ind. 2: 412 (1824) |
| Pieris ovalifolia | (Wall.) D.Don | Edinburgh New Philos. J. 17: 159 (1834) |
| Andromeda ovalifolia | Wall. | Asiat. Res. 13: 391 (1820) |
| Xolisma ovalifolia | (Wall.) Rehder | J. Arnold Arbor. 5: 52 (1924) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| dty | अङ्गेरी |
| Nepali | अंगेरी |
| Chinese | 南烛 |
| Chinese | 米饭花 |
| Chinese | 小米柴 |
| Chinese | 珍珠花 |
| Chinese | 綟木 |
| Chinese | 南燭 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Lyonia ovalifolia var. elliptica | (Siebold & Zucc.) Hand.-Mazz. | Symb. Sin. 7: 788. 1936 (1936) |
| Lyonia ovalifolia var. hebecarpa | (Franch. ex F.B.Forbes & Hemsl.) Chun | Sunyatsenia 4: 253. 1940 (1940) |
| Lyonia ovalifolia var. lanceolata | (Wall.) Hand.-Mazz. | Symb. Sin. 7: 788. 1936 (1936) |
| Lyonia ovalifolia var. rubrovenia | (Merr.) Judd | J. Arnold Arbor. 60: 491 (1979) |
| Lyonia ovalifolia var. tomentosa | (W.P.Fang) C.Y.Wu | Fl. Yunnanica 4: 567 (1986) |
| Lyonia ovalifolia var. ovalifolia |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
- Tibet
-
Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Taiwan
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- West Himalaya
-
Indo-China
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Malaya
-
Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001047539 |
| Tropicos | 12303535 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326338-1 |
| IPNI | 326338-1 |
| GBIF | 5684142 |
| USDA GRIN | 3136 |
| Tropicos | 12302423 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60447937-2 |
| The Plant List | tro-12302423 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 894623 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 49153 |
| IUCN Red List | 145822234 |
| IPNI | 60447937-2 |
| iNaturalist | 428740 |
| GBIF | 7328514 |
| Freebase | /m/0nb520m |
| EPPO | LYDOV |
| USDA GRIN | 22997 |
| Wikipedia | Lyonia_ovalifolia |
| PFAF | Lyonia ovalifolia |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Aryltetralin lignans | |||||
| (+)-(7'S,8S,8'S)-3',4-dihydroxy-2',3,4',5-tetramethoxy-6',9-epoxy-2,7'-cyclolignan-9'-ol | 53356206 | Click to see | 418.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| (1S,10S,18S)-4,15-dihydroxy-18-(hydroxymethyl)-3,5,14,16-tetramethoxy-8-oxatetracyclo[8.7.1.02,7.012,17]octadeca-2,4,6,12,14,16-hexaen-11-one | 163019014 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| (1S,2S,11S,18S)-7,9,13,15-tetramethoxy-4,19-dioxapentacyclo[9.9.0.02,18.05,10.012,17]icosa-5,7,9,12,14,16-hexaene-8,14-diol | 162987937 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| (2R,5R,6R,9S)-9-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-11,13-dimethoxy-3,8-dioxatetracyclo[8.4.0.02,6.05,9]tetradeca-1(14),10,12-trien-12-ol | 46178176 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C23C4COC(C4CO2)C5=CC(=C(C(=C35)OC)O)OC | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| (3S,4R)-6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde | 163034289 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| 18-(Hydroxymethyl)-3,5,14,16-tetramethoxy-8-oxatetracyclo[8.7.1.02,7.012,17]octadeca-2,4,6,12,14,16-hexaene-4,15-diol | 75163494 | Click to see | 418.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| 4,15-Dihydroxy-18-(hydroxymethyl)-3,5,14,16-tetramethoxy-8-oxatetracyclo[8.7.1.02,7.012,17]octadeca-2,4,6,12,14,16-hexaen-11-one | 75163495 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C3C(C(COC4=CC(=C(C(=C34)OC)O)OC)C(=O)C2=C1)CO)OC)O | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| 6-Hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde | 75163497 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| 7,9,13,15-Tetramethoxy-4,19-dioxapentacyclo[9.9.0.02,18.05,10.012,17]icosa-5,7,9,12,14,16-hexaene-8,14-diol | 75162896 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| 9-(4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-11,13-dimethoxy-3,8-dioxatetracyclo[8.4.0.02,6.05,9]tetradeca-1(14),10,12-trien-12-ol | 75163496 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.191 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan glycosides | |||||
| (2R,3R,4S,5R)-2-[[(1S,2R,3R)-7-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6,8-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl]methoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 14521039 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C(C(CC3=CC(=C(C(=C23)OC)O)OC)CO)COC4C(C(C(CO4)O)O)O | 552.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(73)85143-X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Grayanoids | |||||
| (2,4,10,15-Tetrahydroxy-5,5,10,15-tetramethyl-7-oxapentacyclo[12.2.1.01,11.04,9.06,8]heptadecan-3-yl) acetate | 10386869 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1C(C23CC(CCC2C(C4C1(C(C5C4O5)(C)C)O)(C)O)C(C3)(C)O)O | 410.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.90.7_893 |
| (3,4,10,15-Tetrahydroxy-5,5,10,15-tetramethyl-7-oxapentacyclo[12.2.1.01,11.04,9.06,8]heptadecan-2-yl) acetate | 74053734 | Click to see | 410.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.29.280 |
| [(1R,2S,3R,4R,6R,8S,9R,10R,11S,14R,15R)-2,4,10,15-tetrahydroxy-5,5,10,15-tetramethyl-7-oxapentacyclo[12.2.1.01,11.04,9.06,8]heptadecan-3-yl] acetate | 162969145 | Click to see | 410.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.90.7_893 |
| Lyoniol-A | 161699 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1C(C2(C(C3C(C2(C)C)O3)C(C4C15CC(CC4)C(C5)(C)O)(C)O)O)O | 410.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.29.280 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Ursolic Acid | 64945 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| Maslinic Acid | 73659 | Click to see | 472.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| 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 | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Hexacarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (3,14,15,16-Tetraacetyloxy-9-hydroxy-9,14-dimethyl-6-oxo-4-prop-1-en-2-yl-5-oxatetracyclo[11.2.1.01,10.04,8]hexadecan-2-yl) propanoate | 75166918 | Click to see | 622.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBDV.201000188 |
| [(1S,2S,3R,4R,8S,9R,10R,13R,14S,15R,16R)-3,14,15,16-tetraacetyloxy-9-hydroxy-9,14-dimethyl-6-oxo-4-prop-1-en-2-yl-5-oxatetracyclo[11.2.1.01,10.04,8]hexadecan-2-yl] propanoate | 46187486 | Click to see CCC(=O)OC1C(C2(C(CC(=O)O2)C(C3C14C(C(CC3)C(C4OC(=O)C)(C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)(C)O)C(=C)C)OC(=O)C | 622.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBDV.201000188 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Monosaccharides / Hexoses | |||||
| D-Glucose | 5793 | Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)O)O)O)O)O | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Monosaccharides / Pentoses | |||||
| D-Xylose | 135191 | Click to see | 150.13 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| (2,3,11,14,15-Pentaacetyloxy-4-hydroxy-9,14-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-prop-1-en-2-yl-8-oxatetracyclo[11.2.1.01,10.05,9]hexadecan-16-yl) propanoate | 75166999 | Click to see CCC(=O)OC1C2CC(C3C1(C(C(C(C4C3(OC(=O)C4)C)(C(=C)C)O)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)C(C2(C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 680.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBDV.201000188 |
| [(1S,2S,3R,4R,5R,9R,10S,11S,13R,14S,15R,16R)-2,3,11,14,15-pentaacetyloxy-4-hydroxy-9,14-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-prop-1-en-2-yl-8-oxatetracyclo[11.2.1.01,10.05,9]hexadecan-16-yl] propanoate | 46187657 | Click to see | 680.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CBDV.201000188 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(73)85143-X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| Eriodictyol | 440735 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O | 288.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Oxychromen-4-One | 5378597 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.79.3_403 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyl-oxa N-2-YL)oxy-chroman-4-one | 316844 | Click to see | 450.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.79.3_403 |
| Astilbin | 119258 | Click to see | 450.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.79.3_403 https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.94.10_1349 |
| 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 | https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI1947.79.3_403 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |