Calicotome villosa
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fdef7785ee370343904 |
| Scientific name | Calicotome villosa |
| Authority | (Poir.) Link |
| First published in | Neues J. Bot.2(2): 51 (1808) |
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.
Candlestick broom is a sun-loving, spiny Mediterranean shrub with bright yellow flowers. In traditional practice, infusions and decoctions of its flowering tops and tender shoots have been used as mild febrifuges and sedatives, and as digestive tonics in North Africa, while in southern Spain an infusion of the flowering tops has been taken as a diuretic and to settle the stomach. In Malta, a traditional remedy from the same plant parts has been used for colds and sore throats; in Algeria a gentle infusion is valued for calming children and as a low‑dose antispasmodic. Alongside drinks, poultices of fresh young stems or leaf extracts have been applied to swellings and rheumatic pains; in Morocco such preparations are reported for headache and bruises as well as burns.
Among the Maltese, the Sicilian–Maltese herbal tradition notes a simple infusion: steep 5–10 g of fresh flowering tops in 250 ml of near‑boiling water for 10 minutes, strain, and drink a small cup 1–2 times daily as needed. In North Africa, herbalists prepare a decoction for fevers by simmering 20 g of flowering tops in 1 L of water for 15 minutes, cooling, and taking 50–100 ml up to three times daily. A maceration for topical use is made by crushing fresh tender shoots with a little water to a pulp and applying the poultice to the affected area for 20–30 minutes, once or twice daily. Known constituents include flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, phenolic acids including chlorogenic acid, and low levels of quinolizidine alkaloids like cytisine that have mild stimulant activity; the alkaloids help explain traditional sedo‑relaxant reports while the flavonoids support the mild diuretic and febrifuge roles.
As a Mediterranean wild shrub, C. villosa remains locally harvested and occasionally appears in small‑batch herbal blends, though it is not a mainstream commercial item. Contemporary pharmacology in Europe and North Africa is focused on profiling its flavonoids and quinolizidine alkaloids, and on validating traditional diuretic and anti‑inflammatory claims in vitro and in small clinical trials in Tunisia and Spain.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Wood for small tools and handles (heartwood/sapwood)
- Fiber products (bast fiber cordage/rope)
- Animal fodder (cut forage)
- Honey feedstock (floral nectar)
Industrial and craft applications:
- Tannin extracts for leather tanning (bark tannins)
- Natural dye production (yellow pigments from flowers)
- Small woodcraft items (tool handles, walking sticks)
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Honey production (monofloral honey from flower nectar)
Colorants and tanning:
- Natural yellow dye (floral pigments)
- Vegetable tanning agent (bark, classified as hydrolyzable tannins)
Wood and fiber:
- Durable small timber objects (dense hardwood)
- Coarse fiber cordage (bast fiber from stems)
Properties relevant to use:
- Tannins concentrated in bark (high hydrolyzable tannin content facilitating leather processing)
- Fiber strength suitable for rope-making (lignocellulosic bast fiber composition)
- Dense, durable heartwood (high lignin content in mature wood)
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Harvested from wild populations in Mediterranean sclerophyllous habitats
- Potential overharvesting risk in some regions due to fodder demand
- Propagation possible through seed collection and nursery production
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Lygoplis villosum | (Poir.) Raf. | Sylva Tellur.: 23 (1838) |
| Laburnum lanigerum | J.Presl | F.Berchtold & J.S.Presl, Prir. Rostlin Aneb. Rostl.3: 100 (1830) |
| Cytisus preslii | Nyman | Syll. Fl. Eur.: 283 (1855) |
| Cytisus lanigerus | DC. | Prodr.2: 154 (1825) |
| Spartium villosum | Poir. | Voy. Barbarie2: 207 (1789) |
| Calicotome spinosa subsp. villosa | (Poir.) Rouy | G.Rouy & J.Foucaud, Fl. France4: 249 (1897) |
| Calicotome spinosa var. villosa | (Poir.) Fiori & Paoletti | A.Fiori & al., Fl. Anal. Italia2: 23 (1900) |
| Calicotome villosa var. cretica | Rothm. | Bot. Jahrb. Syst.72: 186 (1949) |
| Calicotome spinosa var. macrantha | Rouy | G.Rouy & J.Foucaud, Fl. France4: 249 (1897) |
| Calicotome cretica | C.Presl | Abh. Königl. Böhm. Ges. Wiss., ser. 5, 3: 481 (1845) |
| Genista lanigera | (DC.) Scheele | Flora26: 438 (1843) |
| Genista villosa | (Poir.) Spach | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 3, 3: 156 (1845) |
| Spartium lanigerum | Desf. | Fl. Atlant. 2: 135 (1798) |
| Calicotome villosa var. genuina | Rothm. | Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 72: 284 (1949) |
| Calicotome spinosa var. genuina | Rouy | Fl. France 4: 249 (1897) |
| Spartium spinosum | Brot. | Fl. Lusit. 2: 85 (1804) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Spanish | herguen |
| Spanish | spartium villosum |
| Spanish | spartium lanigerum |
| Spanish | laburnum lanigerum |
| Spanish | calicotome spinosa var. genuina |
| Spanish | calicotome spinosa subsp. villosa |
| Spanish | jérguenes |
| Spanish | jerguenes |
| Spanish | jerguén |
| Spanish | jerguen |
| Spanish | hérguenes |
| Spanish | herguenes |
| Spanish | erguene |
| Arabic | قندول شعري |
| Greek | Σπαλαθκιά |
| Greek | Ασπάλαθος |
| Hebrew | קדה שעירה |
| Hebrew | קידה שעירה |
| Dutch | aspalathos |
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
-
Africa click to expand
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
-
Northern Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
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Western Asia
- Cyprus
- East Aegean Islands
- Lebanon-Syria
- Palestine
- Turkey
-
Western Asia
-
Europe click to expand
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Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Greece
- Italy
- Kriti
- Sicilia
- Turkey-in-Europe
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Southwestern Europe
- Corse
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
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Southeastern Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000213265 |
| Tropicos | 13072301 |
| INPN | 792094 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77106062-1 |
| The Plant List | ild-8336 |
| PFAF | Calicotome villosa |
| PaleoBotany | 64334 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 259877 |
| Observations.org | 149860 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 49799 |
| IPNI | 77106062-1 |
| iNaturalist | 340941 |
| GBIF | 2956364 |
| EPPO | CCOVI |
| EOL | 703764 |
| USDA GRIN | 8671 |
| Wikipedia | Calicotome_villosa |
| CMAUP | NPO22983 |
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 / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Lup-20(29)-en-3-ol, (3beta)- | 521518 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Lupeol | 259846 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acid esters / Coumaric acid esters | |||||
| Methyl p-coumarate | 92203 | Click to see | 178.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| (+-)-Eriodictyol | 11095 | Click to see | 288.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| 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/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > 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/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Chrysin | 5281607 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| 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/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides | |||||
| 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/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| 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/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Cacticin | 5318644 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-beta-galactopyranoside | 5487249 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)OC)O)O)O)O)O)O | 624.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside | 5318645 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin 3-robinobioside | 10371536 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(5-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-phenylchromen-7-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 21580050 | Click to see | 458.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| [(2S,3S,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(5-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-phenylchromen-7-yl)oxyoxan-3-yl] acetate | 163103889 | Click to see | 458.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| [3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(5-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-phenylchromen-7-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 73804357 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC(=C3C(=C2)OC(=CC3=O)C4=CC=CC=C4)O)O)O)O | 458.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| [6-[2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 13845966 | Click to see | 490.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| 5-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-7-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 15558424 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Chrysin-7 beta-monoglucoside | 5490092 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Hesperetin-7-Rutinoside | 3594 | Click to see | 610.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Hesperidin | 10621 | Click to see | 610.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| luteolin 7-O-6''-acetylglucoside | 21721976 | Click to see | 490.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Luteolin 7-O-glucoside | 5280637 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sinensin | 10456395 | Click to see | 450.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Furanoisoflavonoids / Pterocarpans | |||||
| (-)-Maackiain | 91510 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pterocarpin | 1715306 | Click to see | 298.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflav-2-enes / Isoflavones | |||||
| Daidzein | 5281708 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Genistein | 5280961 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflavonoid C-glycosides | |||||
| 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 21676216 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=COC3=C(C2=O)C(=CC(=C3C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-8-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 20831111 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Genistein 8-C-glucoside | 5281757 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=COC3=C(C2=O)C(=CC(=C3C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| Genistein 7,4'-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 91431845 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Genistin | 5281377 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Genistoside | 5284639 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=COC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Sissotrin | 5280781 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=COC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 446.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 3-hydroxy,4-methoxyisoflavonoids | |||||
| Calycosin | 5280448 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxychalcones | |||||
| 1-(2,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one | 2483 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 272.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one | 2535 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Butein | 5281222 | Click to see | 272.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| Calythropsin | 5353470 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C(C=C1)C(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O | 286.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Cinnamylphenols | |||||
| 1-(4-Hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one | 25201046 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
| 4,4'-Dihydroxy-2'-methoxychalcone | 5319688 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00061-3 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |