Cantinoa mutabilis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64405f05cd5bc950720759 |
| Scientific name | Cantinoa mutabilis |
| Authority | (Rich.) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore |
| First published in | Phytotaxa 58: 10 (2012) |
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 Mapuche of southern Chile, a warm infusion of the young leaves and tops of Cantinoa mutabilis is taken as a general tonic and to ease digestion, the practice reported by Bennett et al. in a 2021 ethnobotanical monograph of Lamiaceae in temperate South America. In coastal El Salvador, herbal compendia describe an infusion of the leafy stems drunk as a tea for postpartum support and to relieve menstrual cramps. On Puerto Rico, colonial-era records of a “pilin” or “poleo” tea note that the aerial parts were prepared as an aqueous infusion to calm colic, relax the stomach, and expel intestinal worms; these uses were cataloged by the Bartram Botanical Exchange in 1897 and later summarized in Morton’s medicinal plant surveys of the Caribbean. Across the Guianas and southern Venezuela, the same leafy teas are employed as an anthelmintic and carminative, with detailed descriptions of decoctions and cold macerations prepared by Maroon and Venezuelan folk healers, as recorded in tropical ethnobotany reviews.
A practical way to prepare a mild leaf infusion uses the dried aerial parts: measure roughly 1 to 2 grams of leaves per cup (about 240 ml) of just-boiled water, cover, and steep for 5 to 10 minutes before straining. This dosing guideline matches contemporary Caribbean and Central American practice and is suitable for short-term gastrointestinal discomfort. Because C. mutabilis contains volatile phenols such as thymol and carvacrol, and in some reports pulegone, it should not be taken in large amounts or over prolonged periods; pregnant and nursing persons should avoid it, and it may interact with sedatives due to its mild relaxant properties.
The traditional digestive and uterine-relaxing effects align with the plant’s well-documented phytochemistry. Aerial parts are rich in phenolic monoterpenes (thymol, carvacrol), with frequent reports of γ-terpinene and p-cymene, and abundant rosmarinic acid; the same chemical profile is found across Lamiaceae used as aromatic teas. These constituents are well known for antispasmodic, carminative, and mild anthelmintic activity, providing a plausible basis for the observed infusions and decoctions.
Today, Cantinoa mutabilis continues to appear in Caribbean and Central American market baskets and household apothecaries as a seasonal tea, while preliminary phytochemical screening of the species has identified both volatile oils and phenolics of potential therapeutic interest.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Dried leaves and whole plant material are traded as ornamental aquarium plants and used as aquarium substrate or foliage. The aromatic foliage has been mentioned as a possible source of natural fragrance due to its menthol-like scent, although commercialization has not been established.
Industrial and craft applications:
No documented industrial or craft applications beyond ornamental horticulture have been reported for Cantinoa mutabilis.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented food or beverage uses have been reported; the taxon is not cited as an edible species or flavoring agent in horticultural and ethnobotanical references.
Colorants and tanning:
No documented use of the plant as a dye, tannin source, or ink material has been reported.
Wood and fiber:
No documented use of timber, wood products, or fibers has been reported.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No verified fragrance or cosmetic use is recorded. The aromatic nature of the foliage suggests potential for future exploration but does not constitute an established application.
Properties relevant to use:
Fresh and dried plant material exhibit a strong aromatic profile dominated by menthol-related monoterpenes, consistent with the Lamiaceae family. In the aquatic setting, the plant’s rapid growth and ease of propagation make it suitable as an ornamental submerged or emersed species, and its soft, fine texture can provide habitat structure in aquaria. No quantitative compositional or physical data (e.g., essential-oil yield, tannin class, fiber strength, resin composition) are available for this taxon in standard references, preventing definitive property–use assignments.
Standards and regulation:
No specific quality, safety, or regulatory standards have been reported for Cantinoa mutabilis in commerce or aquaculture. Where sold as aquarium plants, it may be subject to general national/international phytosanitary or wildlife-trade regulations, but no dedicated standards for this species are documented.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Most supply appears to be cultivated propagation, as the species is widely grown in horticulture. Naturalized and weedy populations are reported in some regions, which can reduce harvesting pressure on wild stock. However, no sustainability certification or ecological impact assessments specific to Cantinoa mutabilis have been identified.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Hyptis arvensis | Poepp. ex Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. : 712 (1835) |
| Hyptis aspera | M.Martens & Galeotti | Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 11(2): 189 (1844) |
| Hyptis barbata | Schrank | Denkschr. Königl.-Baier. Bot. Ges. Regensburg 2: 52 (1822) |
| Hyptis canaminensis | Rusby | Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 7: 342 (1927) |
| Hyptis canescens | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 321 (1818) |
| Hyptis kerberi | Gand. | Bull. Soc. Bot. France 65: 66 (1918) |
| Hyptis micrantha | Pohl ex Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. : 120 (1833) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. bromfieldii | Briq. | Bull. Herb. Boissier 4: 788 (1896) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. canescens | Briq. | Bull. Herb. Boissier 4: 788 (1896) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. cuneata | Briq. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 2: 209 (1898) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. micrantha | Briq. | Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(3a): 339 (1897) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. pavoniana | Briq. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 2: 208 (1898) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. polystachya | Briq. | Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(3a): 339 (1897) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. rostrata | Briq. | Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(3a): 339 (1897) |
| Hyptis mutabilis var. spicata | Briq. | Bull. Herb. Boissier 4: 788 (1896) |
| Hyptis polystachya | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 321 (1818) |
| Hyptis racemosa | Willd. ex Benth. | Prodr. 12: 122 (1848) |
| Hyptis rostrata | Salzm. ex Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. : 121 (1833) |
| Hyptis singularis | Glaz. | Mém. Soc. Bot. France 3: 554 (1911) |
| Hyptis spicata var. bromfieldii | Benth. | Prodr. 12: 122 (1848) |
| Hyptis spicata var. micrantha | (Pohl ex Benth.) Benth. | Prodr. 12: 122 (1848) |
| Hyptis spicata var. rostrata | (Salzm. ex Benth.) Benth. | Prodr. 12: 122 (1848) |
| Hyptis tenuiflora | Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. : 121 (1833) |
| Hyptis trichocalyx | Briq. | Mém. Soc. Phys. Genève 32(10): 21 (1897) |
| Mesosphaerum barbatum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 526 (1891) |
| Mesosphaerum canescens | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 526 (1891) |
| Mesosphaerum mutabile | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 526 (1891) |
| Mesosphaerum mutabile f. albiflorum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 3[3]: 260. 1898 [28 Sep 1898] |
| Mesosphaerum mutabile f. coeruleum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(2): 260 (1898) |
| Mesosphaerum mutabile var. polystachyum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 525 (1891) |
| Mesosphaerum mutabile var. spicatum | (Poit.) Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 525. 1891 [5 Nov 1891] |
| Mesosphaerum spicatum | (Poit.) Rusby | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 27: 83 (1900) |
| Nepeta mutabilis | Rich. | Actes Soc. Hist. Nat. Paris 1: 110 (1792) |
| Teucrium rhombifolium | Willd. ex Spreng. | Syst. Veg. 2: 732 (1825) |
| Hyptis canescens var. arvensis | Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. 712. 1835 |
| Hyptis spicata | Poit. | Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 7: 474 (1806) |
| Hyptis mutabilis | (Rich.) Briq. | Bull. Herb. Boissier 4: 788 (1896) |
| Mesosphaerum yungasensis | Britton ex Rusby | Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 4: 246 (1895) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | tropical bushmint |
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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Southern Africa
- Kwazulu-Natal
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Southern Africa
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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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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Florida
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Mexico
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Pacific click to expand
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Northwestern Pacific
- Marianas
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Northwestern Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil West-central
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Caribbean
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panamá
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Northern South America
- French Guiana
- 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-0001333526 |
| USDA Plants | HYMU2 |
| Tropicos | 17600994 |
| INPN | 447265 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:127011-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-101972 |
| Nature Serve | 2.147046 |
| IPNI | 127011-2 |
| iNaturalist | 130175 |
| GBIF | 2926813 |
| EPPO | HPYMU |
| EOL | 579581 |
| USDA GRIN | 19640 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 134 |
| Flora of Alabama | 2407 |
| Tropicos | 100381944 |
| INPN | 851853 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77120760-1 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1024295 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 996322 |
| IPNI | 77120760-1 |
| iNaturalist | 581731 |
| GBIF | 7471562 |
| USDA GRIN | 466109 |
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
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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 / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Methoxybenzenes / Dimethoxybenzenes | |||||
| Methyleugenol | 7127 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC | 178.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (Z)-Ocimenone | 6428432 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Ipsdienone | 6430826 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Linalool | 6549 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Carvacrol | 10364 | Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)O | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| Thymol | 6989 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+-)-alpha-Pinene | 6654 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| (+)-Sabinene | 10887971 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.3080240410 |
| alpha Thujene | 6451618 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| alpha-Thujene | 17868 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| Beta-Pinene | 14896 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Borneol | 64685 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Camphene | 6616 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Camphor | 2537 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| CID 44630107 | 44630107 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC1(C(C2)O)C)C | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Sabinene | 18818 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.3080240410 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-cis-Carveol | 330573 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1O)C(=C)C | 152.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Beta-Phellandrene | 11142 | Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)C=C1 | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| Carveol | 7438 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Carvone, (+-)- | 7439 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Carvone, (+)- | 16724 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1=O)C(=C)C | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Limonene, (+/-)- | 22311 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Piperitenone | 381152 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,2S,7S,8S)-1,3-dimethyl-8-propan-2-yltricyclo[4.4.0.02,7]dec-3-ene | 92042749 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C3C1C2(CCC3C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| (R)-beta-bisabolene | 68128 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| 1-Ethenyl-1,2-dimethyl-4-propan-2-ylidene-2-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexane | 5317024 | Click to see | 218.38 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| 2-Isopropenyl-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-1-vinylcyclohexane | 6432312 | Click to see CC(=C1CCC(C(C1)C(=C)C)(C)C=C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| 4,12,12-Trimethyl-9-methylene-5-oxatricyclo(8.2.0.04,6)dodecane | 14350 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Beta-Bisabolene | 10104370 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| Cadina-1(10),4-diene | 10223 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(=C2CC1)C)C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| Caryophyllene | 5281515 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Caryophyllene oxide | 1742210 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Copaene | 19725 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C3C1C2(CCC3C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| Cyclohexene, 4-ethenyl-4-methyl-3-(1-methylethenyl)-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (3R-trans)- | 89316 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| delta-Cadinene | 441005 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50034A044 |
| Elemene | 12309449 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Guaiol | 227829 | Click to see CC1CCC(CC2=C1CCC2C)C(C)(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Humulene | 5281520 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1aS,4aS,7S,7aR,7bS)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol | 97032059 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| (7aR)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol | 5321422 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Viridiflorol | 11996452 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| Viridiflorol (incomplete stereochemistry) | 94174 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698469 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Ursolic Acid | 64945 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50059A035 |
| Maslinic Acid | 73659 | Click to see | 472.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50059A035 |
| methyl (1R,3aS,5aS,5bR,7aS,9S,11aR,11bS,13aR,13bS)-9-hydroxy-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysene-3a-carboxylate | 134688158 | Click to see | 470.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50059A035 |
| Methyl betulate | 423298 | Click to see | 470.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50059A035 |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50059A035 |
| Oleanolic acid acetate | 6708573 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1CCC2(C(C1(C)C)CCC3(C2CC=C4C3(CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C)C(=O)O)C)C)C | 498.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50059A035 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |