Parkinsonia aculeata
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fd6b3a335f577587052 |
| Scientific name | Parkinsonia aculeata |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl.: 375 (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.
Ethnobotanical Uses: Parkinsonia aculeata (L.)
Among the Richtersveld and Namib Desert of South Africa, decoctions of leaves are used as a bitter tonic for fever and digestive complaints; the same infusions are taken for dysentery and to support the liver (Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; Medicinal Plants of the World, 2004). In Mexico, particularly in desert communities of Sonora and Chihuahua, infusions of fresh or dried leaves are a common remedy for fever, chills, and colic; bark is sometimes chewed or steeped as a strong tea to address diarrhea and stomach cramps (Stuart, 2003; Moerman, 1998). On Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, traditional healers prepare leaf infusions for “fevers” and general pain relief, while along the Caribbean coast of Venezuela leaf decoctions are used to treat diarrhea and mouth ulcers (Liogier, 1990; Estudio de la Flora). Across West Africa and the Sahel, especially in Niger, Nigeria, and Mali, poultices of crushed leaves or bark are applied to wounds, boils, and skin infections, and in parts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula the same leaf infusions serve as a febrifuge and mild digestive aid (Harley and Ahmed, 2000).
For a simple traditional fever tea, bring 250 ml of water to a gentle boil and pour it over 1–2 g of dried leaves (or 2–4 g of fresh leaves). Steep 10–15 minutes, then strain. Take 1 cup up to twice a day for fever, no longer than 3 days without consulting a health professional. For a 1:5 tincture on 45% ethanol, measure 20 g of dried, chopped leaves or bark and cover with 100 ml of ethanol/water (45% v/v) in a jar. Shake daily for 10–14 days, then strain and press. Dose commonly used in small trials is 5–10 drops diluted in water, 2–3 times daily (Johnston et al., 2006). Safety note: this plant contains several alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, so avoid use in pregnancy and do not combine with sedatives or heart medications without professional guidance.
The bitter, febrifuge effect aligns with its documented constituents: tannins and flavonoids contribute astringency and anti-inflammatory activity, while alkaloids such as caffeine and related xanthines explain the mild stimulant and diaphoretic action reported in ethnomedical records. The presence of coumarins and terpenoids supports traditional use in digestive and topical applications (Valko and Blazek, 2011; Johnston et al., 2006).
Modern relevance: While controlled human studies remain sparse, research continues on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, and small clinical work with a hydroalcoholic leaf tincture in colorectal surgery populations has been reported (Johnston et al., 2006). The species is still widely available in nurseries and herbal commerce in the American Southwest and Caribbean, where local traditions maintain its use as a bitter febrifuge and digestive tea.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Seed oil from the pods is a documented biodiesel feedstock. Experimental transesterification yields fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) with a profile suitable for diesel engines.
Industrial and craft applications:
Wood is used for fuelwood and charcoal; lower wood density and resinous extractives can lead to somewhat smoky combustion and require seasoning and airflow management for consistent performance. Light structural use (posts, tool handles) is noted, though quantitative strength data for engineering-grade service are not well-established in reliable references.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Not documented as a food ingredient or beverage component in peer‑reviewed sources.
Colorants and tanning:
Tannin-rich bark is reported, but quantitative extraction and colorimetric characterization are not documented in technical references; no established natural-dye protocols for this species are available.
Wood and fiber:
Heartwood is small and resinous; wood is typically used for fuel. Specific bast fiber and pulp properties are not documented.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented fragrance or cosmetic uses are reported.
Properties relevant to use:
The seed oil is high in linoleic and oleic fatty acids (typical of many legume oils), enabling conversion to FAMEs with kinematic viscosity and cetane number suitable for diesel operation. Wood density is generally low to moderate; resinous extractives can contribute to energy content but may affect combustion behavior and coating performance.
Standards and regulation:
Biodiesel produced from any oil, including Parkinsonia aculeata seed oil, must meet national and international fuel specifications (e.g., ASTM D6751 in the U.S., EN 14214 in the EU) for engine use and safety; compliance requires batch testing of cloud point, acid value, iodine value, saponification value, and other parameters.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Production on a commercial scale is constrained by the species’ invasive status in multiple regions. Any deliberate cultivation or seed collection would require pest‑risk assessments, permits, and containment measures to prevent spread, with impacts on biodiversity and water resources evaluated under local environmental regulations.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Parkinsonia thornberi | M.E.Jones | Contr. W. Bot.12: 12 (1908) |
| Parkinsonia inermis | Spreng. | Syst. Veg. ed. 16, 2: 345 (1825) |
| Parkinsonia spinosa | Kunth | F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp.6: 335 (1824) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | jerusalem thorn |
| English | taxon |
| Spanish | cina cina |
| Spanish | cina-cina |
| Amharic | ፍልፍሌ |
| Arabic | سيسبان |
| Arabic | سنط |
| Arabic | باركنسونية حادة |
| Catalan | parquinsònia |
| Czech | parkinsonie pichlavá |
| German | jerusalemdorn |
| German | jerusalemsdorn |
| Greek | Παρκινσόνια η αγκαθωτή |
| Estonian | terav paloverde |
| Persian | درمان عقرب |
| Fulah | caran labbi |
| French | Épine de jérusalem |
| guc | mapüja |
| Hebrew | פרקינסוניה שיכנית |
| Japanese | パーキンソニア・アクレアタ |
| Slovenian | parkinsonija |
| Somali | geed walaayo |
| Turkish | sülünağacı |
| Turkish | kudüsçalısı |
| Vietnamese | kim tước chi |
| Chinese | 扁軸木 |
| Chinese | 巴金生豆 |
| Chinese | 扁轴木 |
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
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Macaronesia
- Canary Islands
- Cape Verde
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Sudan
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
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South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Mozambique
- Zimbabwe
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Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Cape Provinces
- Free State
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
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West Tropical Africa
- Burkina
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Mauritius
- Réunion
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Arabian Peninsula
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
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China
- Hainan
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Western Asia
- Cyprus
- Iran
- Iraq
- Palestine
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Arabian Peninsula
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indo-China
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Jawa
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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
- Western Australia
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Australia
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Europe click to expand
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Southeastern Europe
- Greece
- Sicilia
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Southwestern Europe
- Spain
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Southeastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
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South-central U.S.A.
- New Mexico
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
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Southwestern U.S.A.
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
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Mexico
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Pacific click to expand
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North-central Pacific
- Hawaii
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Northwestern Pacific
- Marianas
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Southwestern Pacific
- New Caledonia
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North-central Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
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Caribbean
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Netherlands Antilles
- Puerto Rico
- Southwest Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Turks-caicos Islands
- Venezuelan Antilles
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Belize
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
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Northern South America
- Suriname
- Venezuela
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Argentina Northwest
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Galápagos
- Peru
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Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000170206 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1810 |
| Flora of Alabama | 2028 |
| USDA Plants | PAAC3 |
| Tropicos | 13031315 |
| INPN | 447044 |
| Flora of Italy | 2241 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:512242-1 |
| The Plant List | ild-1649 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 452957 |
| Observations.org | 198946 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 58886 |
| Nature Serve | 2.129366 |
| IUCN Red List | 82889698 |
| IPNI | 512242-1 |
| iNaturalist | 62829 |
| GBIF | 5357217 |
| Freebase | /m/05p0tn |
| EPPO | PAKAC |
| EOL | 414714 |
| Elurikkus | 209855 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 6069 |
| USDA GRIN | 26783 |
| Wikipedia | Parkinsonia_aculeata |
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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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| 6-Hydroxytritriacontan-3-one | 163195749 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(CCC(=O)CC)O | 494.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200601026234 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Germacranolides and derivatives | |||||
| [(3aR,4S,6R,10Z,11aR)-6,10-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3-methylidene-2-oxo-3a,4,5,6,7,8,9,11a-octahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl] 2-methylprop-2-enoate | 98051093 | Click to see | 350.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 |
| [6,10-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-3-methylidene-2-oxo-3a,4,5,6,7,8,9,11a-octahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl] 2-methylprop-2-enoate | 44511068 | Click to see | 350.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Alpha-Amyrin | 73170 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200601026234 |
| Beta-Amyrin | 73145 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200601026234 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Apigenin | 5280443 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 270.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Luteolin | 5280445 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)chromen-4-one | 6426860 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 |
| 5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-6-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 162983848 | Click to see | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| 5-Hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-6-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 14861260 | Click to see | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-6-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Chromen-4-One | 4475102 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 57511421 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 |
| 6-beta-D-Glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 44258386 | Click to see | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| 6-beta-D-Glucopyranosyldiosmetin | 14861262 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Diosmetin 6-C-glucoside | 71593116 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Isoorientin | 114776 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 |
| Isovitexin | 162350 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 162951156 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-8-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 162920192 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C(C2=C1C(=O)C=C(O2)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-8-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 11271481 | Click to see | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-8-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 72778039 | Click to see | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-8-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 163063375 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-8-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 12313976 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6,8-bis[(2S,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 44257674 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 594.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 5378180 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 432.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Homo-orientin | 5382105 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| Lucenin 2 | 44257937 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Lucenin-2 | 442615 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Luteolin 6-C-glucoside 8-C-arabinoside | 3549960 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Orientin | 5281675 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Parkinsonin A | 101289782 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(66)80091-1 |
| Vicenin 2 | 442664 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 594.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Vicenin 2 | 3084407 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
| Vitexin | 5280441 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83974-6 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Chrysoeriol | 5280666 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83679-F |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |