Monarda punctata
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fe394652d4639228992 |
| Scientific name | Monarda punctata |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 22 (1753) |
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.
Dotted beebalm, Monarda punctata, has long been recognized as a pungent “horsemint” in North American herbal practice and is collected for its aromatic aerial parts. Early American sources describe infusions of the leaves and flowering tops as a household remedy for colds, fevers, and digestive complaints. Ethnographic work records parallel uses among Native communities. Among the Meskwaki (Fox) of the upper Midwest, fresh or dried plant material was boiled in water for children’s fevers and stomach troubles, while the Cherokee of the Southeast applied fresh leaf poultices to insect stings and minor skin irritations. European settlers in the eastern and prairie states also brewed beebalm teas for colds and dyspepsia, a practice widely reported in late nineteenth‑century pharmacopoeias and state surveys of medicinal plants. In these accounts, the leaf‑flower infusion served as a warming, aromatic carminative and expectorant.
For a mild tea that preserves the plant’s essential oils, place 1–2 teaspoons (about 1–2 g) of crumbled aerial material (leaf‑flower) into a cup of near‑boiling water, cover, and steep for 5–7 minutes; strain and sip warm, up to three cups daily as needed. The warmth and aroma support expectoration during colds and ease gas and cramping after meals. Use is not advised during pregnancy. To make a standard 1:5 ethanol tincture for upper‑respiratory symptom relief, chop 50 g of fresh aerial parts (or 25 g of dried), cover with 250 mL of 45–50% ethanol, and macerate in a dark jar for 3–4 weeks, shaking daily; strain and take 15–30 drops in water, 2–3 times daily, for no more than 1–2 weeks without professional guidance. As with many mint‑family oils, large or concentrated doses may irritate the stomach or cause uterine stimulation, and people with gallstone disease, pregnancy, or known allergies to Lamiaceae should avoid concentrated preparations.
Monarda punctata is rich in thymol and carvacrol, the phenols that give horsemint its intense clove‑like scent, along with related monoterpenes p‑cymene and γ‑terpinene. These constituents are well documented for the species and align with the warming, antimicrobial, and carminative actions attributed to the infusions and poultices. The essential oil’s antimicrobial properties likely underlie its historical use in coughs and topical applications for bites.
Beebalm teas remain in limited commercial circulation, and some growers harvest spotted beebalm in small batches for the herb trade. While clinical trials on Monarda punctata are sparse, a growing body of research continues to map its essential‑oil composition and antimicrobial activity, suggesting the plant’s traditional reputation remains relevant to modern practice.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Monarda punctata (dotted horsemint) is primarily noted as a source of essential oil. The aboveground plant material yields an essential oil dominated by phenolic monoterpenes (thymol and carvacrol), characteristic of several Monarda taxa.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No verified culinary applications are documented for Monarda punctata in authoritative horticultural or ethnobotanical references. It has been studied for essential-oil composition rather than food use.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
The essential oil contains thymol and carvacrol, which impart a strong, medicinal-herbaceous aroma associated with thyme-like odors. These constituents are used in fragrance compounding and have potential as natural aroma-active agents in perfumery and related cosmetic formulations. However, explicit commercial or regulatory data specific to Monarda punctata essential oil are limited.
Properties relevant to use:
The phenolic monoterpene profile (high thymol/carvacrol) imparts notable antioxidant activity and a characteristic odor that is exploited in fragrance contexts. These compounds are well-documented within the Lamiaceae and, in the case of thymol, are used industrially in various applications. No specific physicochemical standards (e.g., ISO/ASTM) are established for Monarda punctata essential oil in public sources.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Monarda punctata is a perennial wildflower native to eastern North America and cultivated ornamentally. Sustainable harvesting of aboveground material for essential oil requires population assessment and habitat consideration; no conservation-specific or cultivation protocols are broadly codified in public references. No major certification frameworks for this taxon’s oil are identified in the literature consulted.
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | spotted beebalm |
| English | horsemint |
| Arabic | نعنع الفرس |
| German | pferdeminze |
| French | monarde punctuée |
| French | monarde ponctuée |
| nv | azeeʼ ndootʼeezhí |
| Russian | Монарда точечная |
| Ukrainian | Монарда плямиста |
| Chinese | 斑点美国薄荷 |
| Chinese | 斑點美國薄荷 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Monarda punctata var. arkansana | (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Shinners | Field & Lab. 21: 90 (1953) |
| Monarda punctata var. coryi | (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Shinners | Field & Lab. 21: 90 (1953) |
| Monarda punctata var. intermedia | (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Waterf. | Rhodora 52: 38 (1950) |
| Monarda punctata var. lasiodonta | A.Gray | Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 2(1): 375 (1878) |
| Monarda punctata var. occidentalis | E.J.Palmer & Steyerm. | Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 22: 634 (1935) |
| Monarda punctata var. punctata | Unknown | |
| Monarda punctata var. villicaulis | (Pennell) Shinners | Field & Lab. 21: 90 (1953) |
| Monarda punctata var. correllii | B.L.Turner | Phytologia 77: 74 (1994) |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
| Requires Light or Surface Sowing: These seeds need light to germinate and should not be covered with soil or only very lightly. They are often very small and sown directly on the surface of the growing medium. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Northeast
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
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South-central U.S.A.
- New Mexico
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
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Mexico
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000245372 |
| UNII | 9Y0285U3TC |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 3478 |
| Flora of Alabama | 2431 |
| Canadensys | 6421 |
| USDA Plants | MOPU |
| Tropicos | 17600171 |
| INPN | 160477 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:452072-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-129232 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 281405 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 514020 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 182387 |
| Nature Serve | 2.149930 |
| IPNI | 452072-1 |
| iNaturalist | 118776 |
| GBIF | 5341413 |
| Freebase | /m/0660fp8 |
| WisFlora | 4272 |
| EPPO | MOAPU |
| EOL | 579702 |
| USDA GRIN | 24538 |
| Wikipedia | Monarda_punctata |
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 / Naphthalenes / Naphthalenecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Naphthalenecarboxylic acids | |||||
| 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-naphthalene-2-carbonyl]oxy-propanoic acid | 3013628 | Click to see | 492.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Globoidnan A | 71308208 | Click to see | 492.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| > 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/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Thymohydroquinone | 95779 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(C=C1O)C(C)C)O | 166.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.3080200506 |
| Thymol | 6989 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.18460580107 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides | |||||
| (2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(1S,6S)-6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-propan-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]oxyoxane-3,4,5-triol | 162961062 | Click to see | 332.39 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| [(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-triacetyloxy-6-[(1S,6S)-6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-propan-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 162866025 | Click to see | 500.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| [3,4,5-Triacetyloxy-6-(6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-propan-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 162866024 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC(C(CC1)(C)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 500.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 2-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-(6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-propan-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)oxyoxane-3,4,5-triol | 75287644 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC(C(CC1)(C)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 332.39 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-oxo-3-[[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[(1S,6R)-6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-propan-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]propanoic acid | 163040301 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC(C(CC1)(C)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)CC(=O)O)O)O)O | 418.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-Oxo-3-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-propan-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]propanoic acid | 163040300 | Click to see | 418.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-(5-isopropyl-2-methylphenoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol | 101419546 | Click to see | 312.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 102283453 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC(=C(C=C1)CO)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 328.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 2-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 162851389 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC(=C(C=C1)CO)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 328.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-[(2-carboxyacetyl)oxymethyl]-4,5-dihydroxy-2-(2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-3-oxopropanoic acid | 49817854 | Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)CC(=O)O)O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)COC(=O)CC(=O)O)O)O)O | 646.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-[[6-[6-[(2-Carboxyacetyl)oxymethyl]-4,5-dihydroxy-2-(2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-3-oxopropanoic acid | 75287642 | Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)CC(=O)O)O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)COC(=O)CC(=O)O)O)O)O | 646.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-Hydroxychavicol 1-glucoside | 78384828 | Click to see C=CCC1=CC(=C(C=C1)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)O | 312.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-oxo-3-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy)oxan-2-yl]methoxy]propanoic acid | 49817853 | Click to see | 398.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-oxo-3-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy]oxan-2-yl]methoxy]propanoic acid | 49817855 | Click to see | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-Oxo-3-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy)oxan-2-yl]methoxy]propanoic acid | 75287641 | Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)CC(=O)O)O)O)O | 398.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-Oxo-3-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-propan-2-ylphenoxy]oxan-2-yl]methoxy]propanoic acid | 75287643 | Click to see | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Citrusin C | 3084296 | Click to see | 326.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| demethyleugenol beta-D-glucopyranoside | 5316750 | Click to see | 312.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Eugenol glucoside | 9945189 | Click to see | 326.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| (S)-Rosmarinic acid | 639655 | Click to see | 360.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]propanoic acid | 5099 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1CC(C(=O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 360.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-7-O-glucuronides | |||||
| (2S,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[5-hydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylphenoxy)phenyl]-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid | 102053278 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(C=C1O)C(C)C)OC2=C(C=CC(=C2)C3=CC(=O)C4=C(C=C(C=C4O3)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 610.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl)oxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid | 5387370 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-[5-hydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylphenoxy)phenyl]-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid | 162987342 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(C=C1O)C(C)C)OC2=C(C=CC(=C2)C3=CC(=O)C4=C(C=C(C=C4O3)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 610.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Apigenin 7-O-glucuronide | 5319484 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Breviscapine | 6426802 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Chrysoeriol 7-glucuronide | 14630703 | Click to see | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Chrysoeriol 7-glucuronide | 14630700 | Click to see | 476.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Luteolin 7-glucuronide | 5280601 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide | 13607752 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Scutellarin | 185617 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 3-[[(3S,4R,5S)-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-3-yl]methoxy]-3-oxopropanoic acid | 163062770 | Click to see | 650.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 3-[[5-[4,5-Dihydroxy-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-3-yl]methoxy]-3-oxopropanoic acid | 163062769 | Click to see | 650.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 5-Hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl)oxymethyl]tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-chromen-4-one | 5377847 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=CC(=C4C(=C3)OC(=CC4=O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| 6''-Malonylcosmosiin | 5856141 | Click to see | 518.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Apigenin 7-(6''-malonylglucoside) | 5281602 | Click to see | 518.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Apigenin 7-O-glucoside | 5280704 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Apiin | 5280746 | Click to see | 564.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Apioside | 5840046 | Click to see | 564.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Isorhoifolin | 9851181 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=CC(=C4C(=C3)OC(=CC4=O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
| Npc85473 | 5385553 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2010.08.009 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |