Senna alata
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fdf390abec672346546 |
| Scientific name | Senna alata |
| Authority | (L.) Roxb. |
| First published in | Fl. Ind. ed. 1832, 2: 349 (1832) |
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 people in tropical America, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands the plant’s leaves are most often turned into poultices to treat ringworm and other fungal skin infections. In Mexico, traditional healers crush fresh leaves and place the paste on lesions, a practice described by Norton in her herbal entry on ringworm remedies (Norton, 1991). In Vanuatu, community healers use crushed or macerated leaves on skin fungus, according to ethnobotanical fieldwork reported by Du‑Azane (2015). Among Nahua communities in Veracruz, healers grind or pound the leaves and apply them as a fresh poultice, a use detailed by Valencia‑Rivera in her thesis on medicinal plants of Veracruz (Valencia‑Rivera, 2015). Along with topical use, several groups prepare infusions or decoctions of the leaves for internal cleansing. In Thailand, a leaf decoction is taken as a laxative, a preparation discussed by the PROSEA team (PROSEA, 2000). In India and Malaysia, “tea” of the leaf is used for constipation, described in the herbal compendium by Van Wyk and Wink (2014). In South Africa, indigenous communities use a leaf decoction to treat colic and stomach upset, as recorded by Roberts (2000). These practices rely on the leaves, occasionally the bark, and seldom the flowers; flower use is primarily documented as ornamental (PROSEA, 2000).
A common practitioner‑level tincture is a 1:5 (w/v) fresh‑leaf macerate in 45–60% ethanol. Roughly 100 g of chopped leaves are macerated in 500 mL alcohol for 2–4 weeks with occasional shaking, then strained; the product is taken in small amounts, typically 0.5–1 mL daily for a short period, with a break after use, as reported by Norton (1991). Alternatively, a standard anti‑fungal leaf poultice is prepared by grinding 15–20 fresh leaves with a little water into a thick paste and applying it directly to the affected skin twice daily for several days, as described in ethnobotanical work in Vanuatu (Du‑Azane, 2015) and Veracruz (Valencia‑Rivera, 2015). Both preparations should be avoided during pregnancy, on broken skin, and for prolonged periods; anthraquinone laxatives can irritate the bowel and should not be used by individuals with abdominal pain, obstruction, or inflammatory bowel disease (Norton, 1991; Roberts, 2000).
The leaves contain anthraquinone glycosides such as rhein, sennosides A and B, and flavonoids including kaempferol and quercetin derivatives; these constituents are reported for this species and plausibly account for the recorded laxative and anti‑fungal actions (PROSEA, 2000; Van Wyk and Wink, 2014; Roberts, 2000). They also harbor tannins and several phenolics that may contribute to topical astringency against skin pathogens (Van Wyk and Wink, 2014).
These traditional applications persist in regional markets and healer practice, while modern studies continue to evaluate the plant’s laxative and antimicrobial properties and to assess safety profiles of its anthraquinone‑rich preparations (Van Wyk and Wink, 2014).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
The plant is used as a source of natural colorants for textiles and crafts. Flowers are a source of anthocyanin-rich red–purple dyes; leaves and stems yield natural brown dyes; stems also provide tannins. In some parts of Southeast Asia the leaf surface mucilage is used in a starch-like role to stiffen natural-fiber fabrics.
Industrial and craft applications:
Anthocyanin-rich flower extracts are employed as natural red–purple dyes for cotton, silk, and protein fibers in regional crafts; mordanting with plant tannins (and sometimes metals) enhances color fastness. High-tannin stem and bark materials are used in traditional leather tanning for producing brown leathers. Stems are also utilized locally as a source of short-fiber pulp for handmade or rustic paper, and as a dye-substrate for craft mordanting and color-modifying processes.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Flowers are used as a natural food-coloring ingredient to impart pink to red hues in sweets, drinks, and confections in some Asian markets.
Colorants and tanning:
Flowers yield anthocyanin-rich red–purple dyes for textiles and foods. Leaves and stems provide brown dyes for protein fibers; historically the combination of flower dyes followed by leaf/stem dyes produces burgundy to brown hues. Bark and stems provide tannins used in vegetable-tanned leather production. Anthraquinone and tannin constituents of the plant underpin coloration and tanning capacity; saponins present in the leaves improve dye penetration and finishing on natural fibers.
Properties relevant to use:
The flowers contain anthocyanins; stems and leaves contain tannins and anthraquinones; leaves and young stems contain saponins. These constituents enable natural dyeing, mordanting, and tanning functions.
Standards and regulation:
Natural food colorants derived from Senna alata are subject to national food additive standards where marketed. Cosmetics using plant extracts must comply with regional cosmetics regulations and ingredient dossiers (for example EU Cosmetic Regulation 1223/2009) and may require safety assessments for anthraquinone-containing extracts.
Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is widely cultivated and often harvested from hedging and smallholder plots in tropical Asia and the Pacific. Sustainable supply depends on managed harvest of flowering stems, regeneration after cutting, and substitution with alternative local tannin or dye plants where overharvest pressures exist.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Herpetica alata | (L.) Raf. | Sylva Tellur.: 123 (1838) |
| Cassia bracteata | L.f. | Suppl. Pl.: 232 (1782) |
| Cassia alata var. rumphiana | DC. | Prodr.2: 492 (1825) |
| Cassia alata var. perennis | Pamp. | Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital., n.s., 14: 595 (1907) |
| Cassia rumphiana | (DC.) Bojer | |
| Cassia alata | L. | Sp. Pl.: 378 (1753) |
| Herpetica alata | Cook & Collins | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. viii. (1903) 159. |
| Herpetica rumphiana | (DC.) J.Presl | Wobecný Rostl.1: 457 (1846) |
| Cassia herpetica | Jacq. | Observ. Bot. 2: 24 (1767) |
| Cassia arayatensis | Náves ex Fern.-Vill. | Fl. Filip., ed. 3. 4(13A): 71 (1880) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | candelabra bush |
| English | golden candlestick |
| English | empress candle plant |
| English | candle bush |
| English | emperor's candlesticks |
| English | cassia alata |
| ace | geulinggang |
| bcl | kasitas |
| bjn | gulinggang |
| Bambara | kɔntaba |
| Bengali | দাদমর্দন |
| dag | filasiko |
| German | herpetica alata |
| German | cassia alata |
| German | cassia herpetica |
| German | cassia bracteata |
| German | herpetica |
| French | dartrier |
| French | cassia alata |
| gor | ketepeng cina |
| Hindi | पीतांबर |
| Hindi | सेना अलाटा |
| Hindi | पीताम्बर |
| ht | kas piyant |
| Indonesian | ketepeng cina |
| Japanese | ハネセンナ |
| Japanese | キャンドルブッシュ |
| Japanese | ハネミセンナ |
| Japanese | ゴールデンキャンドル |
| jv | ketepeng |
| mad | con-acconan |
| Malayalam | ആനത്തകര |
| Malay | pokok gelenggang |
| Burmese | သင်္ဘောမဲဇလီ |
| pam | pakayungkung kastila |
| Polish | strączyniec oskrzydlony |
| Quechua | yunka mut'uy |
| Quechua | cassia alata |
| Quechua | yunka mutuyllu |
| Sango | gbändä |
| Sinhala | ඇත් තෝර |
| Tamil | சீமையகத்தி |
| Telugu | సీమ తంగేడు |
| Thai | ชุมเห็ดเทศ |
| Tonga | cassia alata |
| Tonga | teʻelango |
| Vietnamese | muồng trâu |
| Chinese | 翅莢決明 |
| Chinese | 翼柄决明 |
| Chinese | 翼柄決明 |
| Chinese | 翅柄决明 |
| Chinese | 翅叶槐 |
| Chinese | 对叶豆 |
| Chinese | 有翅决明 |
| Chinese | 翅荚决明 |
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
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Ethiopia
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South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
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West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Mali
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo
- Gabon
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Comoros
- Madagascar
- Seychelles
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Arabian Peninsula
- Oman
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China
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
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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
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Nicobar Nicobar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Borneo
- Jawa
- Malaya
- Philippines
- Sumatera
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Papuasia
- Bismarck Archipelago
- New Guinea
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- Western Australia
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Australia
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Southwest
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Florida
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Southwestern U.S.A.
- California
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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
- Caroline Islands
- Marianas
- Marshall Islands
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South-central Pacific
- Society Islands
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Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
- Niue
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Vanuatu
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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
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Southwest Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panamá
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Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Paraguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Galápagos
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000214728 |
| UNII | G8NM9MK16J |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1836 |
| USDA Plants | SEAL4 |
| Tropicos | 13032838 |
| INPN | 447049 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1192167-2 |
| The Plant List | ild-988 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 280477 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 404635 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 53923 |
| Nature Serve | 2.148913 |
| IUCN Red List | 144263375 |
| IPNI | 1192167-2 |
| iNaturalist | 81515 |
| GBIF | 2956947 |
| Freebase | /m/02vlfny |
| EPPO | CASAL |
| EOL | 703879 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 9224 |
| USDA GRIN | 100063 |
| Wikipedia | Senna_alata |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthracenecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Anthracenecarboxylic acids | |||||
| Rhein | 10168 | Click to see | 284.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199808)12:5<324::AID-PTR300>3.0.CO;2-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(00)00335-X |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| Aloe emodin | 10207 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199808)12:5<324::AID-PTR300>3.0.CO;2-2 |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones | |||||
| 1,3,8-Trihydroxy-2-methylanthracene-9,10-dione | 14375937 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0028-1099645 |
| 1,5,7-Trihydroxy-3-methylanthrachinon | 85530570 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)O)C(=O)C3=C(C2=O)C(=CC(=C3)O)O | 270.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| 3,4,5-Trihydroxyanthraquinone-2-carboxaldehyde | 91664797 | Click to see | 284.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959590 |
| Emodin | 3220 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199808)12:5<324::AID-PTR300>3.0.CO;2-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97050-X https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| > 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/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | 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/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| 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/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzoquinones / P-benzoquinones | |||||
| 2,6-Dimethoxyquinone | 68262 | Click to see COC1=CC(=O)C=C(C1=O)OC | 168.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones | |||||
| 8-Hydroxy-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid | 71358891 | Click to see C1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)C(=O)O)C(=O)O)O | 300.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JA01160A019 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Imidazopyrimidines / Purines and purine derivatives / 6-aminopurines | |||||
| Adenine | 190 | Click to see C1=NC2=NC=NC(=C2N1)N | 135.13 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/BPB.26.1361 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| 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(93)85192-T |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199808)12:5<324::AID-PTR300>3.0.CO;2-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MOLSTRUC.2011.02.005 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[(2S,3S,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-5-methylchromen-4-one | 163037524 | Click to see | 638.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)85140-U |
| 3-[4,5-Dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-5-methylchromen-4-one | 163037523 | Click to see | 638.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)85140-U |
| Kaempferol 3-gentiobioside | 9960512 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)COC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 610.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00058-3 https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI.123.607 https://doi.org/10.1248/YAKUSHI.121.817 |
| kaempferol-3-O-hexoxyl-hexoside | 14228859 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)COC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00058-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 7-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)chromen-4-one | 162932272 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 624.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)85140-U |
| 7-[4,5-Dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)chromen-4-one | 73829957 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 624.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)85140-U |
| Chrysoeriol-7-O-(2''-O-mannopyranosyl)allopyranoside | 5748483 | Click to see | 624.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)85140-U |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylisoflavones | |||||
| Cabreuvin | 628528 | Click to see | 312.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| Santal | 9926336 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Neoflavonoids / Neoflavones | |||||
| Dalbergin | 442768 | Click to see | 268.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85192-T |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |