Teucrium fruticans
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643feeec05a7e841167567 |
| Scientific name | Teucrium fruticans |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 563 (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.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Traditional applications of Teucrium fruticans are recorded in Mediterranean folk medicine. Among the Berber communities of Morocco’s Middle Atlas, leaves are boiled in water as a decoction for digestive discomfort and applied as a poultice to fresh wounds and burns, with detailed field surveys documenting these practices (González-Tejero et al., 2008; Vallès et al., 2004). In southern France, particularly in Provence, the plant has historically been used as an aromatic infusion, sometimes combined with honey, for colds and upper‑respiratory ailments (Fournier, 1947; Pignatti, 1997). In certain Maltese households, leaves are steeped briefly and taken as a tea to soothe stomach upsets and to ease cough and throat irritation (Schembri, 1996).
A practical recipe for a mild tea is straightforward. Measure 1–2 teaspoons (≈ 2–4 g) of dried leaves for each cup (≈ 250 mL) of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes; strain and drink up to two cups daily, warm, without sweeteners unless desired for taste. For a topical poultice, pack fresh crushed leaves into a thin cloth, dampen slightly with warm water, and apply to the affected area for 10–20 minutes, two or three times daily. Use only for short periods; larger or prolonged internal doses are not advised. Safety notes: Teucrium species have been associated with hepatotoxicity, and the plant should not be used by children, by people with liver disease, or during pregnancy and lactation; discontinue if digestive upset or jaundice develops and consult a qualified practitioner.
Pharmacological profiles for Teucrium fruticans show iridoid glycosides (aucubin, catalpol), flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin derivatives), diterpenoids (teucridin and related clerodane diterpenes), essential oils with α‑pinene and β‑pinene as major constituents, and phenylpropanoids such as rosmarinic acid; these compounds offer plausible bases for mild astringent, spasmolytic, and anti‑inflammatory actions noted in tradition.
Current work explores its antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activities in vitro, while the species remains sparingly available as ornamental hedging and is occasionally found in specialty herbal markets that market dried leaf tea for short courses; most contemporary references caution against prolonged internal use (Camarda et al., 2010; Vallès et al., 2004).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Live ornamental shrubs cultivated for landscaping, hedging, groundcover, and container gardening; sold as potted plants by nurseries.
Properties relevant to use:
- Evergreen, silvery‑gray foliage; compact, shrubby habit; drought tolerance; adaptable to Mediterranean and similar climates; readily propagated vegetatively by cuttings, supporting horticultural production.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Propagated in commercial nurseries; varieties are cultivated rather than harvested from wild populations, reducing pressure on natural populations and supporting sustainable horticultural supply.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Teucrium angustifolium | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 76 (1796) |
| Teucrium fruticans subsp. latifolium | (L.) P.Silva & Teles | Mem. Soc. Brot. 21: 246 (1971) |
| Teucrium fruticans subsp. prostratum | Gattef. & Maire | Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique N. 31: 112. 1941 (1941) |
| Teucrium glomeratum | Cav. | Anales Ci. Nat. 3(7): 62 (1801) |
| Teucrium latifolium | L. | Sp. Pl. : 563 (1753) |
| Teucrium tomentosum | Moench | Methodus : 382 (1794) |
| Teucrium fruticans var. latifolium | (L.) Schreb. | Pl. Verticill. Unilab. Gen. Sp. 27 1773 |
| Chamaedrys latifolia | Raf. | Fl. Tellur. 3: 85 (1837) |
| Teucrium fruticans var. linearifolium | Clary | Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Toulouse 1888: 115-172 (1888) |
| Teucrium fruticans var. lancifolium | Debeaux ex Clary | Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Toulouse 1888: 115-172 (1888) |
| Teucrium fruticans var. minor | Pau | Cavanillesia 1: 144 (1929) |
| Teucrium fruticans f. albiflorum | H.Lindb. | Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn., Ser. B, Opera Biol. 1(2): 134 (1932) |
| Teucrium fruticans f. coloratum | Maire | Cat. Pl. Maroc 3: 612 (1934) |
| Teucrium fruticans f. pallidum | Maire | Cat. Pl. Maroc 3: 612 (1934) |
| Teucrium fruticans f. grandifolium | Sennen | Diagn. Nouv. : 110 (1936) |
| Teucrium fruticans var. rotundifolium | Dautez & Debeaux | Actes Soc. Linn. Bordeaux 42: 287 (1889) |
| Teucrium fruticans var. pallidum | (Maire) Sauvage | Trav. Inst. Sci. Chérifien, Sér. Bot. 22: 159 (1961) |
| Teucrium fruticans subsp. latifolium | (L.) Arcang. | Comp. Fl. Ital. : 558 (1882) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | shrubby germander |
| English | tree germander |
| English | olive-leaved germander |
| Arabic | قطلم |
| Czech | ožanka křovitá |
| French | germandrée arbustive |
| Italian | camedrio femmina |
| Kabyle | icc n taqurt |
| mt | Żebbuġija |
| Slovenian | grmičasti vrednik |
| Chinese | 银石蚕 |
| Chinese | 银香科科 |
| Chinese | 灌丛石蚕 |
| Chinese | 銀石蚕 |
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
-
Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
-
Northern Africa
-
Europe click to expand
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Italy
- Sicilia
- Yugoslavia
-
Southwestern Europe
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
-
Southeastern Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000322139 |
| USDA Plants | TEFR3 |
| Tropicos | 17603513 |
| INPN | 125995 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:460416-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-202931 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 281576 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 595179 |
| Observations.org | 125841 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 28514 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0200003293 |
| IPNI | 460416-1 |
| iNaturalist | 181666 |
| GBIF | 2926902 |
| Freebase | /m/047dht1 |
| EPPO | TEUFR |
| EOL | 595021 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 9255 |
| USDA GRIN | 401851 |
| Wikipedia | Teucrium_fruticans |
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 / Phenanthrenes and derivatives | |||||
| (11bS)-7,11-dihydroxy-3,4,9,11b-tetramethyl-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2,6-dione | 44577119 | Click to see | 338.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83131-H |
| (9S,11bS)-7,11-dihydroxy-3,4,9,11b-tetramethyl-8,9-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2,6-dione | 14707524 | Click to see | 340.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85224-4 |
| 7,11-dihydroxy-3,4,9,11b-tetramethyl-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2,6-dione | 51001672 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C3=C(C(=C2O1)O)C4(CC(=O)C(=C(C4=CC3=O)C)C)C)O | 338.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83131-H |
| 7,11-dihydroxy-3,4,9,11b-tetramethyl-8,9-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2,6-dione | 14707523 | Click to see | 340.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85224-4 |
| Teuvincenone E | 132556482 | Click to see CC1CC2=C(C3=C(C(=C2O1)O)C4(CC(=O)C(=C(C4=CC3=O)C)C)C)O | 340.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85224-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83131-H |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (4aR,9S,11bS)-7,11-dihydroxy-4,4,9,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,4a,5,8,9-hexahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-3,6-dione | 145953676 | Click to see | 344.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83131-H |
| 7,11-Dihydroxy-4,4,9,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,4a,5,8,9-hexahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-3,6-dione | 163088653 | Click to see CC1CC2=C(C3=C(C(=C2O1)O)C4(CCC(=O)C(C4CC3=O)(C)C)C)O | 344.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83131-H |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-Clerosterol | 5283638 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00511-1 |
| 5,25-Stigmastadienol | 286499 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00511-1 |
| Clerosterol 3-glucoside | 14311739 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(=C)C | 574.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00511-1 |
| Clerosterol glucoside | 91895415 | Click to see | 574.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00511-1 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tricarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| CID 11442594 | 11442594 | Click to see | 462.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| CID 162858926 | 162858926 | Click to see | 462.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| CID 163105428 | 163105428 | Click to see | 446.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| CID 72963133 | 72963133 | Click to see CC1CC(C2(C3(CCCC2(C14CC(OC4=O)C5=COC=C5)O)CO3)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 462.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones / Cyclohexenones | |||||
| [(1S,4R,4aS,8R,8aR)-8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1-hydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,8a-tetrahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 100939187 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2(C(C1(C)CCC3=COC=C3)C(CCC24CO4)O)COC(=O)C | 388.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| [8-[2-(Furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1-hydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,8a-tetrahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 163033406 | Click to see | 388.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzofurans | |||||
| (7S,8R,9S,10R)-9-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-9,10-dimethyl-2-oxatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),3-dien-7-ol | 163070675 | Click to see | 300.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| 9-[2-(Furan-3-yl)ethyl]-9,10-dimethyl-2-oxatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),3-dien-7-ol | 73004141 | Click to see CC1CC2=C3C(C1(C)CCC4=COC=C4)C(CCC3=CO2)O | 300.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Heteroaromatic compounds | |||||
| (3R,4S,4aR,5S,8R,8aS)-4-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-5-hydroxy-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-3,4-dimethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydronaphthalene-8,2'-oxirane]-1-one | 11439457 | Click to see | 348.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [(1S,2R,4R,4aR,5R,8aR)-1-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-4-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-8-oxospiro[2,3,4,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-5,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 21596556 | Click to see | 390.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83722-B |
| [(1S,2R,4R,4aR,5S,8aR)-1-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-4-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-8-oxospiro[2,3,4,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-5,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 162998406 | Click to see CC1CC(C2(C(C1(C)CCC3=COC=C3)C(=O)CCC24CO4)COC(=O)C)O | 390.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19780000356 |
| [(1S,4R,4aR,5R,7R,8S,8aR)-8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1,5-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethylspiro[2,3,5,6,7,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 15484452 | Click to see CC1CC(C2(C(C1(C)CCC3=COC=C3)C(CCC24CO4)O)COC(=O)C)O | 392.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [(1S,4R,4aS,6R,7S,8S,8aR)-8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1,6-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 11463891 | Click to see CC1C(C(=O)C2(C(C1(C)CCC3=COC=C3)C(CCC24CO4)O)COC(=O)C)O | 406.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [(1S,4R,4aS,7R,8S,8aR)-8-[(1R)-2-(furan-3-yl)-1-hydroxyethyl]-1-hydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 163046130 | Click to see | 406.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| [(1S,4R,4aS,7R,8S,8aR)-8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1-hydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 15450013 | Click to see CC1CC(=O)C2(C(C1(C)CCC3=COC=C3)C(CCC24CO4)O)COC(=O)C | 390.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83722-B https://doi.org/10.1039/P19780000356 |
| [(1S,4R,4aS,7S,8R,8aR)-8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1,7-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[2,3,6,8a-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 24039337 | Click to see | 406.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [(4R,4aS,7R,8S,8aR)-8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 11717723 | Click to see | 374.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| [8-[2-(Furan-3-yl)-1-hydroxyethyl]-1-hydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 72816887 | Click to see | 406.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [8-[2-(Furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1-hydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 73195048 | Click to see | 390.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1,5-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethylspiro[2,3,5,6,7,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 85275524 | Click to see | 392.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [8-[2-(Furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1,6-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 72971484 | Click to see | 406.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [8-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-1,7-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[2,3,6,8a-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 74167878 | Click to see | 406.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| [8-[2-(Furan-3-yl)ethyl]-7,8-dimethyl-5-oxospiro[1,2,3,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalene-4,2'-oxirane]-4a-yl]methyl acetate | 73072008 | Click to see CC1CC(=O)C2(C(C1(C)CCC3=COC=C3)CCCC24CO4)COC(=O)C | 374.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| 4-[2-(Furan-3-yl)ethyl]-5-hydroxy-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-3,4-dimethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydronaphthalene-8,2'-oxirane]-1-one | 72962044 | Click to see CC1CC(=O)C2(C(C1(C)CCC3=COC=C3)C(CCC24CO4)O)CO | 348.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2003.09.018 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones | |||||
| [(4R,5S,5aS,6R,7R,9aS)-5-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-4,5-dimethyl-2-oxospiro[4,5a,6,8,9,9a-hexahydro-3H-benzo[b]oxepine-7,2'-oxirane]-6-yl]methyl acetate | 101634640 | Click to see CC1CC(=O)OC2CCC3(CO3)C(C2C1(C)CCC4=COC=C4)COC(=O)C | 390.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83722-B |
| [5-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-4,5-dimethyl-2-oxospiro[4,5a,6,8,9,9a-hexahydro-3H-benzo[b]oxepine-7,2'-oxirane]-6-yl]methyl acetate | 3764591 | Click to see CC1CC(=O)OC2CCC3(CO3)C(C2C1(C)CCC4=COC=C4)COC(=O)C | 390.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)83722-B |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| CID 11589829 | 11589829 | Click to see | 420.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| CID 73021613 | 73021613 | Click to see CC1CC(C2(C3(CCCC2(C14CC(OC4=O)C5=COC=C5)O)CO3)COC(=O)C)O | 420.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2005.07.003 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Cirsilineol | 162464 | Click to see | 344.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.5586/ASBP.2001.025 |
| Cirsimaritin | 188323 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)O)OC | 314.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.5586/ASBP.2001.025 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |