Colophospermum mopane
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fd5cd1fa39634870281 |
| Scientific name | Colophospermum mopane |
| Authority | (Benth.) Leonard |
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 Tswana of Botswana a mild tea is prepared from fresh mopane leaves to relieve fever and malaria‑like chills (Van Wyk and Wink, 2015). In the same book, the bark of mopane is described as being boiled in water to make a decoction that is taken to calm diarrhoea and dysentery. The African Herbal Pharmacopoeia (1998) records similar bark decoctions for gastrointestinal upset among the Shona of Zimbabwe, and a leaf infusion used by the Herero of Namibia for coughs and colds. Burkill’s Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa (1985) notes that the bark decoction is also employed by communities in northern Botswana for stomach cramps.
The standard preparation for the Tswana leaf tea begins with 10 g of freshly harvested mopane leaves. The leaves are rinsed, placed in a small pot with 250 ml of just‑boiled water, covered and allowed to steep for 10 minutes. The infusion is strained and drunk warm; a half‑cup (≈150 ml) is taken two to three times daily while fever persists. Safety: because the tea is rich in condensed tannins, excess consumption may cause nausea; the herb is traditionally avoided in pregnancy due to reports of uterine stimulation (African Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1998). If fresh material is scarce, the same weight of dried leaves can be used, though the steeping time may be extended by a few minutes to ensure full extraction.
The activity of mopane infusions is linked to its rich phytochemistry. Chemical analyses consistently report high levels of condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) that give the tea its astringent taste and help reduce intestinal irritation. Flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin have been identified in both leaf and bark extracts, contributing antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory properties. Saponins and modest amounts of essential‑oil monoterpenes (α‑pinene, β‑pinene) are also present, supporting the traditional use as a mild respiratory tonic.
Recent pharmacological studies have shown that mopane leaf extracts have DPPH‑radical scavenging activity and inhibit carrageenan‑induced paw edema in rodents. In Botswana and South Africa, a commercial mopane leaf tea is now sold in specialty health‑food outlets, marketed for its antioxidant qualities. Ongoing ethnobotanical surveys in the Kalahari continue to document its cultural importance, while researchers are exploring standardized leaf extracts as potential complementary remedies for mild fever and gastrointestinal upset.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Wood (roundwood posts/poles); fuelwood/charcoal.
Wood and fiber:
Heartwood is dark reddish-brown, very dense and hard, naturally termite- and decay-resistant; sapwood is paler and susceptible. Roundwood is used locally for fence posts, kraal stakes, poles, and tool handles; sapwood requires treatment for durability. The timber is also used as fuelwood and for charcoal production. Wood density is high; reported air-dry values around 800–900 kg/m³ suggest strong dimensional stability in service when seasoned; the wood is reportedly hard, somewhat brittle, and difficult to machine, favoring applications where durability outweighs finish quality.
Industrial and craft applications:
Poles and posts are used directly without extensive processing; roundwood is preferred for fencing due to longevity in ground contact. Fuelwood and charcoal are common uses. The high density and energy content (common to mopane woodland biomass) make it valuable for cooking and heating; market classes generally distinguish timber poles from fuelwood/charcoal.
Properties relevant to use:
High density and hardness; natural termite and decay resistance; good energy content. Seasoning must be careful to reduce checking and splitting.
Standards and regulation:
Uses and trade are primarily local and regional; no widely reported ISO/ASTM/EN timber grading standards are specifically applied to mopane roundwood or poles.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Wood is harvested from natural mopane woodlands across southern Africa. Local practice emphasizes extraction of fence posts and fuelwood from mature, senescent, or dead trees to minimize impact; sustained supply depends on woodland management and fire and grazing regimes typical of mopane savanna.
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | balsam tree |
| English | mopane |
| Spanish | hardwickia mopane |
| Spanish | copaifera mopane |
| Spanish | mopane |
| Spanish | copaiba mopane |
| Afrikaans | mopanie |
| Catalan | mopane |
| Danish | mopane |
| German | mopanebaum |
| German | mopane |
| Esperanto | mopane-arbo |
| Estonian | mopaanipuu |
| Persian | درخت مرهم |
| Finnish | mopanepuu |
| French | mopane |
| frr | mopane |
| Croatian | mopane |
| Italian | albero del mopane |
| Italian | mopane |
| Japanese | モパネ |
| Lithuanian | paprastasis ausuonis |
| Dutch | mopane |
| Russian | Мопане |
| Slovenian | mopane |
| Swedish | mopane |
| Chinese | 可乐豆木 |
| Chinese | 可樂豆木 |
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
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Tanzania
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
-
Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Caprivi Strip
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
-
East Tropical Africa
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000165169 |
| USDA Plants | COMO14 |
| Tropicos | 13051074 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:486795-1 |
| The Plant List | ild-1160 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 904977 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 162715 |
| IUCN Red List | 62021750 |
| IPNI | 486795-1 |
| iNaturalist | 428749 |
| GBIF | 2974567 |
| Freebase | /m/03xy_s |
| EPPO | CXOMO |
| EOL | 418082 |
| US Library of Congress | sh96007691 |
| USDA GRIN | 11181 |
| Wikipedia | Mopane |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (2S,4aR,5S,5'S,6S,8aR)-5'-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,1,4a,5',6-pentamethylspiro[3,4,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-5,2'-oxolane]-2-ol | 637137 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP0202430 |
| (2S,4aS,5R,5'R,6S,8aS)-5'-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,1,4a,5',6-pentamethylspiro[3,4,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-5,2'-oxolane]-2-ol | 11120904 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP0202430 |
| (2S,4aS,5R,5'S,6S,8aS)-5'-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,1,4a,5',6-pentamethylspiro[3,4,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-5,2'-oxolane]-2-ol | 101226207 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP0202430 |
| 2-(2',4,4,7,8a-pentamethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-8,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl)acetaldehyde | 162957606 | Click to see | 306.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00068-1 |
| 2-(2',4,4,7,8a-pentamethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-8,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl)acetic acid | 78200710 | Click to see | 322.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00068-1 |
| 2-(3-hydroxy-2',4,4,7,8a-pentamethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-8,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl)acetaldehyde | 85296304 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C(CCC2(C13CCC(O3)(C)CC=O)C)O)(C)C | 322.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP0202430 |
| 2-[(2'R,3S,4aS,7S,8R,8aS)-3-hydroxy-2',4,4,7,8a-pentamethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-8,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl]acetaldehyde | 163049043 | Click to see | 322.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP0202430 |
| 2-[(2'S,4aS,7S,8R,8aS)-2',4,4,7,8a-pentamethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-8,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl]acetic acid | 636956 | Click to see | 322.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00068-1 |
| 5'-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,1,4a,5',6-pentamethylspiro[3,4,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-5,2'-oxolane]-2-ol | 22297597 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C(CCC2(C13CCC(O3)(C)CCO)C)O)(C)C | 324.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP0202430 |
| Dihydrogrindelaldehyde | 10606633 | Click to see | 306.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00068-1 |
| methyl (E)-5-[(1S,2R,4aR,8aS)-2-hydroxy-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpent-2-enoate | 162917632 | Click to see | 336.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00068-1 |
| methyl (E)-5-[(1S,2S,4aR,8aR)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpent-2-enoate | 162979094 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(CCCC2(C1CCC(=CC(=O)OC)C)C)(C)C | 320.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00068-1 |
| Methyl 5-(2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-3-methylpent-2-enoate | 85241108 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(CCCC2(C1CCC(=CC(=O)OC)C)C)(C)C | 320.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00068-1 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| (2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-[(2R,3S,4R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 14540818 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)C3C(C(OC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-[(2R,3S,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 14540817 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)C3C(C(OC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (2R,3S)-6-[(2R,3S,4R)-3,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 162972220 | Click to see | 530.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (2R,3S)-8-[(2R,3S,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 14540824 | Click to see | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (2R,3S)-8-[(2R,3S,4S)-3,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 14353355 | Click to see | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (2S,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-[(2R,3S,4R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 14540819 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)C3C(C(OC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (2S,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-[(2R,3S,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 162918170 | Click to see | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (6aS,7R,12aS)-7-[(2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl]-5,6a,7,12a-tetrahydroisochromeno[4,3-b]chromene-3,4,10-triol | 162978906 | Click to see | 558.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 14540816 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)C3C(C(OC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| 6-[3,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 162972219 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)C3C(C(OC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O | 530.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| 7-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl]-5,6a,7,12a-tetrahydroisochromeno[4,3-b]chromene-3,4,10-triol | 14540864 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)C3C4C(C5=C(CO4)C(=C(C=C5)O)O)OC6=C3C=CC(=C6)O)O)C7=CC(=C(C=C7)O)O)O | 558.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| 8-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 14540822 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)C6=CC=C(C=C6)O)O | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| 8-[3,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol | 14353358 | Click to see | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| Catechin | 9064 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39660001644 |
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39660001644 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavan-3-ols | |||||
| (-)-Fisetinidol | 442397 | Click to see | 274.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820000527 |
| (2R,3S,4S)-4-[6-[(2R,3S)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-2-yl]-2,3-dihydroxyphenyl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 163007389 | Click to see | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| (2R,3S,4S)-4-[6-[(2S,3S)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-2-yl]-2,3-dihydroxyphenyl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 163007387 | Click to see | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| 4-[6-(3,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-2-yl)-2,3-dihydroxyphenyl]-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7-diol | 163007386 | Click to see | 546.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001325 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones / Flavanonols | |||||
| Taxifolin | 439533 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O)O | 304.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39660001644 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Fisetin | 5281614 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00152-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Pyranoflavonoids | |||||
| (6aS)-5,6a,7,12abeta-Tetrahydro[2]benzopyrano[4,3-b][1]benzopyran-2,3,7beta,10-tetrol | 12314039 | Click to see | 302.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00152-3 |
| Mopanol B | 15560614 | Click to see | 302.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39660001644 |
| Peltogynin | 12314036 | Click to see C1C2=CC(=C(C=C2C3=C(O1)C(=O)C4=C(O3)C=C(C=C4)O)O)O | 298.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00152-3 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |