Tabebuia heterophylla
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID6440275bde85c800019186 |
| Scientific name | Tabebuia heterophylla |
| Authority | (DC.) Britton |
| First published in | Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 2: 48 (1915) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
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 peoples of the Caribbean and northern South America, the inner bark of Tabebuia heterophylla has been used for external compresses and as a bitter tonic for the stomach, the sap for treating eye irritations, and leaves in infusions to relieve fever and aches, with records from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Hamel et al., 1975), the Dominican Republic (Hochstetter-Chávez, 1991), and eastern Venezuela (DeFilipps et al., 2004). The principal plant part is the inner bark and/or young stems; the outer bark and leaves are used for specific purposes, and the clear, mucilaginous latex tapped from the trunk is applied topically to inflamed eyes. Where a report is specific to that taxon, it documents bitter infusions or decoctions of the bark for digestive complaints, poultices or wraps of the inner bark on wounds or skin infections, leaf infusions as mild febrifuges and analgesics, and the sap used as a protective coating over irritated conjunctiva.
For a traditional bark infusion as a bitter tonic, take 1–2 teaspoons (2–4 g) of coarsely chipped inner bark per cup (250 mL) of water; simmer 10–15 minutes, then steep 10 minutes before straining. One cup taken 1–2 times daily for 3–7 days is typical. As an external compress, steep 2–3 tablespoons (10–20 g) of inner bark in 500 mL hot water for 20 minutes, cool to comfortable warmth, and apply to affected skin with clean cloth 2–3 times daily. Due to constituents such as napthoquinones and saponins, the bark should not be taken long-term or in high doses; avoid during pregnancy and in people on anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications. Discontinue if stomach upset or skin irritation occurs and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
Chemical investigations of Tabebuia heterophylla have reported the napthoquinone derivative lapachol, as well as saponins and flavonoids such as quercetin, consistent with bitter, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory actions noted in ethnomedicine (Kuskoski et al., 2007; Neira et al., 2009). These constituents plausibly explain the topical antimicrobial use of the bark and sap and the mild digestive effects of bark infusions. While the plant is not a major commercial species today, the documented use in Caribbean ethnomedicine and the presence of well-known Tabebuia constituents sustain interest in its pharmacognosy and potential applications.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Tabebuia heterophylla is widely cultivated in tropical horticulture as a shade, street, and ornamental tree. It is planted in urban landscapes and parks for its showy pink flowers and moderate size, contributing to shade and aesthetics without specific product manufacturing.
Wood and fiber:
The species yields a moderately heavy, hardwood used locally for general construction, furniture, interior trim, flooring, and turnery. The wood has a straight to interlocked grain with a fine to medium texture. Its density and mechanical properties make it suitable for these applications in the Caribbean and northern South America. Seasoning is recommended to reduce movement in service.
Scientific/model-organism use:
T. heterophylla serves as a reference taxon within the genus Tabebuia s.l. in phytogeographic surveys, taxonomic revisions, and genetic studies of Neotropical Bignoniaceae. It provides comparative material for tree architecture, wood anatomy, and evolutionary research across Tabebuia and related genera.
Properties relevant to use:
Wood density in the moderate-to-heavy range supports structural and joinery applications. Stability and workability are improved by proper drying. Grain and texture contribute to satisfactory finishing and turning characteristics, enabling furniture and trim use.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Handroanthus pentaphyllus | (L.) Mattos | Loefgrenia 50: 4 (1970) |
| Leucoxylon acuminata | Raf. | Sylva Tellur. : 78 (1838) |
| Leucoxylon riparia | Raf. | Sylva Tellur. : 77 (1838) |
| Tecoma pentaphylla | Juss. | Gen. Pl. [Jussieu] 139. 1789 [4 Aug 1789] |
| Tecoma triphylla | Mart. ex DC. | Prodr. 9: 215 (1845) |
| Tabebuia leptopoda | Urb. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 17: 121 (1922) |
| Tabebuia geronensis | Britton | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 42: 375 (1915) |
| Tabebuia gonavensis | Urb. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 17: 196 (1922) |
| Tabebuia lindahlii | Urb. & Ekman | Ark. Bot. 21A(5): 95 (1927) |
| Tabebuia lucida | Britton | Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 2: 48 (1915) |
| Tabebuia beyeri | Urb. & Ekman | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 22: 84 (1925) |
| Tabebuia brigandina | Urb. & Ekman | Ark. Bot. 22A(10): 68 (1929) |
| Tabebuia camagueyensis | Britton & P.Wilson | Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 16: 107 (1920) |
| Tabebuia capotei | Borhidi | Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 26(1-2): 19 (1980) |
| Tabebuia arenicola | Britton | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 42: 375 (1915) |
| Tabebuia dictyophylla | Urb. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 22: 85 (1925) |
| Tecoma eggersii | Kraenzl. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 17: 219 (1921) |
| Tabebuia riparia | (Raf.) Sandwith | Taxon 4: 44 (1955) |
| Tabebuia pentaphylla | Hemsl. | Biol. Cent.-Amer., Bot. 2: 495 (1882) |
| Tabebuia triphylla | DC. | Prodr. 9: 214 (1845) |
| Tabebuia heterophylla subsp. genuina | Stehlé | Bull. Soc. Bot. France 93: 30 (1945 publ. 1946) |
| Tabebuia pallida subsp. heterophylla | Stehlé | Caribbean Forester 6(Suppl.): 330 (1945) |
| Tabebuia pallida subsp. pentaphylla | (Hemsl.) Stehlé | Caribbean Forester 6(Suppl.): 338. 1945 (1945) |
| Tabebuia curtissii | Britton | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 42: 375 (1915) |
| Bignonia leucoxylon | L. | Sp. Pl. : 624 (1753) |
| Bignonia pentaphylla | L. | Sp. Pl. ed. 2 : 870 (1763) |
| Raputia heterophylla | DC. | Mém. Mus. Hist. Nat. 9: 153 (1822) |
| Tecoma pentaphylla | Juss. | Prodr. 9: 217 (1845) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | pink manjack |
| English | white cedar |
| Arabic | تابوبيا متباينة الأوراق |
| French | poirier-pays |
| Chinese | 异叶粉铃木 |
| Chinese | 异叶风铃木 |
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
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
- Florida
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
-
Pacific click to expand
-
North-central Pacific
- Hawaii
-
North-central Pacific
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Caribbean
- Bahamas
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Netherlands Antilles
- Puerto Rico
- Southwest Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
-
Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000780074 |
| UNII | LW3NAB2666 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 316 |
| USDA Plants | TAHE |
| Tropicos | 3700583 |
| INPN | 447001 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:248689-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-318644 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 35617 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 39382 |
| Nature Serve | 2.160178 |
| IUCN Red List | 157815878 |
| IPNI | 248689-2 |
| iNaturalist | 53722 |
| GBIF | 3172526 |
| EOL | 577864 |
| USDA GRIN | 36146 |
| Wikipedia | Tabebuia_heterophylla |
| CMAUP | NPO2199 |
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)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
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!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines | |||||
| 1-((7aR)-5,6,7a,8-Tetrahydro-7H-benzo(g)-1,3-benzodioxolo(6,5,4-de)quinolin-7-yl)ethanone | 6453733 | Click to see | 307.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Benzophenanthridine alkaloids / Secobenzophenanthridine alkaloids | |||||
| Arnottianamide | 3085181 | Click to see CN(C=O)C1=C(C=CC2=CC3=C(C=C21)OCO3)C4=C(C(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)O | 381.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles | |||||
| Estragole | 8815 | Click to see | 148.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty amides / N-acyl amines | |||||
| (2E,4E,8Z,11E)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)tetradeca-2,4,8,11-tetraenamide | 14135320 | Click to see CCC=CCC=CCCC=CC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 291.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2E,6R,7E,9E)-6-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-11-oxododeca-2,7,9-trienamide | 101357058 | Click to see | 295.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2E,6Z,8E,10Z)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)dodeca-2,6,8,10-tetraenamide | 46870578 | Click to see CC=CC=CC=CCCC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Bungeanool | 14135319 | Click to see | 291.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool | 10084135 | Click to see CC=CC=CC=CCCC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Beta-Sanshool | 10220912 | Click to see | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Gamma-Isosanshool | 14135316 | Click to see | 289.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Gamma-Sanshool | 14135317 | Click to see | 289.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Linalyl acetate | 6999980 | Click to see | 196.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Linalool, (+)- | 67179 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| 4-Isopropylbenzyl alcohol | 325 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)CO | 150.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-Terpinen-4-ol | 5325830 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-alpha-Terpineol | 442501 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,3R,4R,5R)-3-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]-1,4,5-trihydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid | 9476 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 354.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones | |||||
| (R-(E))-5-Isopropyl-8-methylnona-6,8-dien-2-one | 16058296 | Click to see CC(C)C(CCC(=O)C)C=CC(=C)C | 194.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthopyrans / Naphthopyranones | |||||
| (26S)-26-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-5,5-dimethyl-6,15-dioxahexacyclo[12.12.0.02,7.08,13.016,25.018,23]hexacosa-1(14),2(7),3,8,10,12,16(25),18,20,22-decaene-17,24-dione | 162995860 | Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C3=CC=CC=C3C4=C2C(C5=C(O4)C(=O)C6=CC=CC=C6C5=O)CC(C)(C)O)C | 466.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)83161-3 |
| 26-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-5,5-dimethyl-6,15-dioxahexacyclo[12.12.0.02,7.08,13.016,25.018,23]hexacosa-1(14),2(7),3,8,10,12,16(25),18,20,22-decaene-17,24-dione | 13989575 | Click to see | 466.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)83161-3 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Phenanthridines and derivatives | |||||
| Nitidine | 4501 | Click to see | 348.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Norchelerythrine | 443719 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=CN=C3C(=C2C=C1)C=CC4=CC5=C(C=C43)OCO5)OC | 333.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines | |||||
| Skimmianine | 6760 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Hydroquinolones | |||||
| Schinifoline | 133504 | Click to see | 257.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Pyranoquinolines | |||||
| Zanthobungeanine | 5315422 | Click to see | 271.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| 3,5,6-Trihydroxy-4',7'-dimethoxyflavone | 5322058 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5317847 | Click to see | 434.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 94858662 | Click to see | 508.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Guaijaverin | 5481224 | Click to see | 434.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 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 | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside | 5318645 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see | 448.40 | 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 | |||||
| 3,7-Bis(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3',5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone | 102574483 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O | 640.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 7-glucoside | 6455477 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| 4-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid | 14132337 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |