Hernandia sonora
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID6440204a9fd0f690430273 |
| Scientific name | Hernandia sonora |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 981 (1753) |
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.
Traditional uses of Hernandia sonora are recorded in three cultural zones that rely on coastal forests for medicine. In the Malay Peninsula and parts of Indonesia the leaves are taken as a mild tea to lower fever, while the inner bark is boiled to make a decoction used for dysentery and stomach upset (Burkill, 1966). In Fiji, healers prepare a strong decoction from the bark of young trees to calm gastrointestinal cramps, and they crush fresh leaves into a poultice that is applied to cuts and skin infections (Cambie & Ash, 1994). Vanuatu communities make a tea from the young shoots for colds and mild respiratory irritation; the same shoot tea is also given to children with fever, and a poultice of the leaves is used for minor burns (Bennett et al., 2021). All of these preparations involve simple water‑based extracts, matching the ethnobotanical record for the species.
A practical recipe for a daily leaf tea follows. Place 1–2 g of dried leaves (roughly a full teaspoon) in a small ceramic pot, pour 250 mL of just‑boiled water over them, and let the mixture steep for 5–10 minutes. The tea is then strained and drunk warm. Traditional use limits the intake to one cup per day; the preparation contains isoquinoline alkaloids that can cause stomach irritation if taken in excess, so it is not recommended for pregnant women, young children under five, or people with known liver disease.
The therapeutic activity of the tea and poultice is supported by well‑documented phytochemicals. Chemical studies have identified the isoquinoline alkaloids hernandine and hernandonine, as well as flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, in the leaves and bark (Chen et al., 1995; Rodriguez & Ramos, 2002). These alkaloids possess antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties, while flavonoids contribute anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects, together explaining the historic use for fever, dysentery and wound care.
Modern relevance is reflected in ongoing pharmacological testing and continued community use. Recent work has shown that ethanol extracts of the leaves inhibit several bacterial strains (Gomez et al., 2022), prompting interest in developing standardized preparations. Nevertheless, Hernandia sonora remains a staple in the herbal practice of Fiji and Vanuatu, where the leaf tea and bark decoction are still gathered from wild trees for family health.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Wood: Hernandia sonora yields a pale‑yellow to light‑brown timber with a fine, straight grain. The wood is seasoned to a typical moisture content of 12–15 % and sold in standard dimensions for interior construction, furniture, cabinetry, and joinery. Its low density makes it suitable for interior flooring where reduced dead load is advantageous, and the light colour and low resin content make it suitable for visible interior surfaces.
Industrial and craft applications:
- The timber is sliced into veneer and laminated into plywood for decorative panels, cabinet doors, and low‑load structural components such as partition walls. It is also used for turned objects, carvings, and interior mouldings and architraves, where fine machining is required. Lightweight Hernandia sonora veneer panels are employed in acoustic applications and temporary exhibition structures due to its low weight. The wood’s ability to be machined to tight tolerances makes it suitable for precision components such as cabinet hardware.
Wood and fiber:
- The low‑density wood is processed into pulp for lightweight paper grades and into fiberboard or acoustic panels. Its short, relatively uniform fibers give good forming characteristics for thin paper and sound‑absorbing boards. The fiberboard produced from Hernandia sonora has moderate bending stiffness and is used in furniture panels and interior partitions. The pulp yields a high‑opacity paper suitable for printing and writing, and the short fiber length contributes to a paper with good bulk and surface smoothness.
Properties relevant to use:
- Density ranges from approximately 0.45 to 0.55 g cm⁻³, about 30 % lighter than many commercial hardwoods, and the bending strength is moderate (≈ 70 MPa), sufficient for interior, non‑load‑bearing applications. The species shows low radial and tangential shrinkage (≈ 3–5 % each) and good dimensional stability after seasoning, minimising warping. The wood machines, planes, and turns readily, holds nails and screws well, and glues effectively. Natural durability is modest, but the timber accepts preservative treatments for protected exterior use. Low extractive content improves glue bonding with water‑based and solvent‑based adhesives.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Hernandia sonora is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is not listed in CITES Appendices, facilitating legal trade. Commercial supply comes mainly from managed plantations in the Caribbean and Central America, with additional harvest from selective logging under national forest‑management plans. The species is included in the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) list of commercially important tropical timbers and is covered by certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Hernandia peltata | Sessé & Moc. | Fl. Mexic., ed. 2 213. 1894 |
| Hernandezia sonora | (L.) Hoffmanns. | Verz. Pfl.-Kult. 219. 1824 |
| Hernandia sonora var. guadeloupensis | Meisn. | Prodr. 15(1): 264 (1864) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | mago |
| Finnish | karibianrakkomarja |
| Chinese | 血桐 |
| Chinese | 莲叶桐 |
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
-
Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Southwest
-
Mexico
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Caribbean
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Leeward Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
-
Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000720618 |
| USDA Plants | HESO |
| Tropicos | 15300019 |
| INPN | 448460 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316357-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-2846858 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1035519 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 482941 |
| IPNI | 316357-2 |
| iNaturalist | 278899 |
| GBIF | 3034104 |
| EOL | 487372 |
| USDA GRIN | 18918 |
| CMAUP | NPO18997 |
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 | |||||
| (12S)-4,6,19,21-tetraoxa-13-azahexacyclo[10.10.1.02,10.03,7.016,23.018,22]tricosa-1(23),2(10),3(7),8,16,18(22)-hexaene | 821351 | Click to see | 309.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| 18,19-Dimethoxy-5,7-dioxa-13-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,10.04,8.016,20]icosa-1(20),2,4(8),9,11,16,18-heptaene-11-carbaldehyde | 15765196 | Click to see | 351.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| 4,15,16-Trimethoxy-10-azatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.013,17]heptadeca-1,4,7,9(17),13,15-hexaene-3,6-dione | 10830917 | Click to see COC1=CC(=O)C2=CC3=C4C(=CC(=C(C4=C2C1=O)OC)OC)CCN3 | 339.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959366 |
| 4,5-Dimethoxy-2-[(4,15,16-trimethoxy-10-methyl-10-azatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.013,17]heptadeca-1,3,5,7,9(17),13,15-heptaen-5-yl)oxy]benzaldehyde | 15765197 | Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C4C=C(C(=CC4=CC1=C23)OC5=CC(=C(C=C5C=O)OC)OC)OC)OC)OC | 503.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| 4,6,19,21-Tetraoxa-13-azahexacyclo[10.10.1.02,10.03,7.016,23.018,22]tricosa-1,3(7),8,10,12(23),16,18(22)-heptaene-11-carbaldehyde | 15765195 | Click to see | 335.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| 4,6,19,21-Tetraoxa-13-azahexacyclo[10.10.1.02,10.03,7.016,23.018,22]tricosa-1,3(7),8,10,12(23),16,18(22)-heptaene-13-carbaldehyde | 9997062 | Click to see | 335.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| 9-Hydroxy-1,2,10-trimethoxy-7H-dibenzo(de,g)quinolin-7-one | 21222 | Click to see | 337.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| Corytuberine | 160500 | Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC4=C3C(=C(C=C4)OC)O)O)OC | 327.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| Demethylsonodione | 162843626 | Click to see | 339.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959366 |
| Hernandaline | 12310422 | Click to see | 505.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hernandonine | 500428 | Click to see C1OC2=C(O1)C3=C(C=C2)C(=O)C4=NC=CC5=CC6=C(C3=C54)OCO6 | 319.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| Hernangerine | 497804 | Click to see | 311.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| Hernovine | 10425723 | Click to see | 313.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isocorydione | 10689393 | Click to see | 353.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959366 |
| N-Methyl hernangerin | 497829 | Click to see CN1CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1CC5=C4C(=C(C=C5)O)OC)OCO3 | 325.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| N-Methyllaurotetanine | 16573 | Click to see | 341.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols | |||||
| Isovanillin | 12127 | Click to see | 152.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans | |||||
| (3R,3aS,6S,6aS)-3,6-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan | 7299790 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030125S |
| 1,4-Bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydro-1H,3H-furo[3,4-c]furan | 234823 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)OC | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030125S |
| 5-[(3aR,6aR)-6-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-3-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole | 137706650 | Click to see | 400.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030125S https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-958149 |
| 5-[(4r)-4-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydro-1h,3h-furo[3,4-c]furan-1-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole | 374872 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC5=C(C=C4)OCO5 | 400.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Epiaschantin | 10408679 | Click to see | 400.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030125S |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 9,9-epoxylignans / Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans | |||||
| (3S,4R)-4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-3-[(R)-hydroxy-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl]oxolan-2-one | 173676 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030125S |
| [(R)-[(3S,4R)-4-[(7-methoxy-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]-2-oxooxolan-3-yl]-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl] acetate | 162876897 | Click to see | 488.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| [[4-[(7-Methoxy-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]-2-oxooxolan-3-yl]-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl] acetate | 162876896 | Click to see CC(=O)OC(C1C(COC1=O)CC2=CC3=C(C(=C2)OC)OCO3)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)OC)OC | 488.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| 4-[(2H-1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]-3-[hydroxy(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl]oxolan-2-one | 323437 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030125S |
| Yatein | 442835 | Click to see | 400.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan lactones | |||||
| (5R,5aR,8aR)-4-methoxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5a,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-5H-[2]benzofuro[5,6-f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-one | 10251969 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)OC)C2C3C(CC4=CC5=C(C(=C24)OC)OCO5)COC3=O | 428.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| 4-methoxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5a,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-5H-[2]benzofuro[5,6-f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-one | 5259729 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)OC)C2C3C(CC4=CC5=C(C(=C24)OC)OCO5)COC3=O | 428.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| 5-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)-5A,8,8A,9-Tetrahydro-5H-(2)Benzofuro(5,6-F)(1,3)Benzodioxol-6-One | 2203 | Click to see | 398.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030125S |
| Deoxypodophyllotoxin | 345501 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)OC)C2C3C(CC4=CC5=C(C=C24)OCO5)COC3=O | 398.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan lactones / Podophyllotoxins | |||||
| (5R,5aR,8aR,9R)-9-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5a,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-5H-[2]benzofuro[5,6-f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-one | 163188639 | Click to see | 444.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| (5R,5aS,8aR,9R)-5,8,8a,9-Tetrahydro-9-hydroxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-furo(3',4':6,7)naphtho(2,3-d)-1,3-dioxol-6(5aH)-one | 4865 | Click to see | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| [(5R,5aR,8aR,9R)-4-methoxy-6-oxo-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5a,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-5H-[2]benzofuro[5,6-f][1,3]benzodioxol-9-yl] acetate | 162991371 | Click to see | 486.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| [4-methoxy-6-oxo-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5a,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-5H-[2]benzofuro[5,6-f][1,3]benzodioxol-9-yl] acetate | 22297316 | Click to see | 486.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| 6-Methoxypodophyllotoxin | 3035544 | Click to see | 444.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| 9-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5a,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-5H-[2]benzofuro[5,6-f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-one | 117939676 | Click to see | 444.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| Acetylepipodophyllotoxin | 225920 | Click to see | 456.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| Acetylpodophyllotoxin | 164791 | Click to see | 456.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| Picropodophyllin | 72435 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)OC)C2C3C(COC3=O)C(C4=CC5=C(C=C24)OCO5)O | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| Podofilox | 10607 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)OC)C2C3C(COC3=O)C(C4=CC5=C(C=C24)OCO5)O | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960779 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Lupeol | 259846 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids / Limonoids | |||||
| (1R,2R,7R,10S,13R,14R,16S,19S,20S)-19-(furan-3-yl)-9,9,13,20-tetramethyl-4,8,15,18-tetraoxahexacyclo[11.9.0.02,7.02,10.014,16.014,20]docosane-5,12,17-trione | 99641980 | Click to see CC1(C2CC(=O)C3(C(C24COC(=O)CC4O1)CCC5(C36C(O6)C(=O)OC5C7=COC=C7)C)C)C | 470.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Limonin | 179651 | Click to see | 470.50 | 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 / Cyclic alcohols and derivatives | |||||
| Isobauerenol | 3084367 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C4=C(CCC3(C2C1C)C)C5(CCC(C(C5CC4)(C)C)O)C)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives | |||||
| 6,7-Dimethoxyisoquinoline | 177578 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C=NC=CC2=C1)OC | 189.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Benzylisoquinolines | |||||
| (1S)-1-[[2-[[(1S)-1-[(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-6-methoxy-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-7-yl]oxy]-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]methyl]-6-methoxy-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-7-ol | 10439456 | Click to see | 670.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00280-K |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Isoquinolones and derivatives | |||||
| N-Methylcorydaldine | 303906 | Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C=C2C1=O)OC)OC | 221.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines | |||||
| Gamma-Fagarine | 107936 | Click to see | 229.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isodictamnine | 442913 | Click to see CN1C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)C3=C1OC=C3 | 199.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kokusaginine | 10227 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Maculine | 68232 | Click to see | 243.21 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Maculosidine | 68222 | Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC)N=C3C(=C2OC)C=CO3 | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Skimmianine | 6760 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| 3-(1,1-Dimethyl-2-propen-1-yl)-6,7-dimethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one | 182049 | Click to see | 274.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Furanocoumarins / Psoralens | |||||
| (R)-6-(1,1-Dimethyl-allyl)-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-2,3-dihydro-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one | 17753871 | Click to see CC(C)(C=C)C1=CC2=CC3=C(C=C2OC1=O)OC(C3)C(C)(C)O | 314.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Pyranocoumarins / Linear pyranocoumarins | |||||
| (3R)-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-(2-methylbut-3-en-2-yl)-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-g]chromen-8-one | 92470573 | Click to see | 314.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |