Details Top

Internal ID UUID6440473920a58536836395
Scientific name Litsea pungens
Authority Hemsl.
First published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 26: 384 (1891)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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General Uses Top

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Common products:
- Essential oil (leaf oil) obtained by steam distillation of fresh leaves.

Industrial and craft applications:
- The oil is employed as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, and other household products.
- It is incorporated into cosmetics such as lotions and perfumes, where the lemony scent serves as a top note.
- Because of its repellent activity against certain insects, the oil is used in textile treatments and natural insect‑repellent formulations for craft use.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
- The oil’s primary volatile constituents are citral (geranial and neral), accounting for 50–70 % of the oil; other components include citronellal, geraniol and citronellol.
- The oil is used as a raw material in the perfume and fragrance industry, contributing a fresh, citrus‑like note.
- In cosmetics it is added to soaps, shower gels, and body lotions at low concentrations (typically 0.1–0.5 % by weight) to impart a bright scent.

Properties relevant to use:
- Specific gravity: 0.89–0.92 at 20 °C.
- Refractive index: 1.480–1.495.
- Saponification value: 180–200 mg KOH g⁻¹.
- Yield of oil from fresh leaves: 0.6–0.8 % (w/w).
- The high citral content is responsible for the characteristic lemon aroma and contributes to the oil’s antimicrobial and insect‑repellent properties.

Standards and regulation:
- Production and marketing of the oil for fragrance purposes are governed by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards, which include maximum usage levels in finished products.
- Some national regulations (e.g., China’s Cosmetic Safety Technical Standards) require labeling of essential‑oil ingredients and limits on concentration in leave‑on products.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- Litsea pungens occurs in the Himalayan region, parts of Yunnan, and northeastern India. Harvesting is currently based largely on wild collection.
- Local conservation initiatives promote selective cutting, cultivation, and community‑based harvesting to reduce pressure on wild populations.
- The species is listed as “Least Concern” in regional Red‑List assessments, but habitat loss in some areas has prompted efforts to develop sustainable cultivation programmes.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Litsea kangdingensis H.S.Kung Fl. Sichuanica 1: 460 (1981)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Chinese 木姜子
Chinese 木姜子叶
Chinese 木姜子根
Chinese 木姜子茎
Chinese 兰香树
Chinese 猴香子
Chinese 生姜材
Chinese 辣姜子
Chinese 陈茄子
Chinese 黄花子
Chinese 香桂子
Chinese 山胡椒
Chinese 木香子
Chinese 木薑子

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
      • Tibet

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001070310
Tropicos 17800396
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:465975-1
The Plant List tro-17800396
Open Tree Of Life 467942
NCBI Taxonomy 943095
IUCN Red List 147649950
IPNI 465975-1
GBIF 4181112
USDA GRIN 465225
CMAUP NPO963

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.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
The Analgesic Potential of Litsea Species: A Systematic Review Goh MP, Samsul RN, Mohaimin AW, Goh HP, Zaini NH, Kifli N, Ahmad N Molecules 30-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11085224
doi:10.3390/molecules29092079
PMID:38731572
Characterization and correlation analysis of microbial flora and flavor profile of stinky acid, a Chinese traditional fermented condiment Zhang Z, Zhao H, Zhu R, Cheng S, Yu Y, Xiang L, Xiang Z, Guo Z, Wang Y Food Chem X 19-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10978482
doi:10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101311
PMID:38559445
Study on medicinal food plants in the Gaoligongshan Biosphere Reserve, the richest biocultural diversity center in China Cheng Z, Lin S, Wu Z, Lin C, Zhang Q, Xu C, Li J, Long C J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 15-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10790445
doi:10.1186/s13002-023-00638-9
PMID:38225656
Wild edible plants and their cultural significance among the Zhuang ethnic group in Fangchenggang, Guangxi, China Liu S, Huang X, Bin Z, Yu B, Lu Z, Hu R, Long C J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 08-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10631048
doi:10.1186/s13002-023-00623-2
PMID:37940945
Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis: a review of its research progress of active metabolites and pharmacological effects Cao YX, Ji P, Wu FL, Dong JQ, Li CC, Ma T, Yang HC, Wei YM, Hua YL Front Pharmacol 25-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10635453
doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1277283
PMID:37954842
Chemical Composition of Litsea pungens Essential Oil and Its Potential Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities Chen T, Kong Q, Kuang X, Zhou J, Wang H, Zhou L, Yang H, Feng S, Ding C Molecules 27-Sep-2023
PMCID:PMC10574272
doi:10.3390/molecules28196835
PMID:37836677
Woody plant functional traits and phylogenetic signals correlate with urbanization in remnant forest patches Yang J, Wang Z, Pan Y, Zheng Y Ecol Evol 31-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10388403
doi:10.1002/ece3.10366
PMID:37529580
Rosemary and neem methanolic extract: antioxidant, cytotoxic, and larvicidal activities supported by chemical composition and molecular docking simulations Alhaithloul HA, Alqahtani MM, Abdein MA, Ahmed MA, Hesham AE, Aljameeli MM, Al Mozini RN, Gharsan FN, Hussien SM, El-Amier YA Front Plant Sci 18-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10232984
doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1155698
PMID:37275255
Does diet or macronutrients intake drive the structure and function of gut microbiota? Li Y, Yan Y, Fu H, Jin S, He S, Wang Z, Dong G, Li B, Guo S Front Microbiol 13-Feb-2023
PMCID:PMC9970161
doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1126189
PMID:36860485
Comparative chloroplast genome analyses of diverse Phoebe (Lauraceae) species endemic to China provide insight into their phylogeographical origin Shi W, Song W, Chen Z, Cai H, Gong Q, Liu J, Shi C, Wang S PeerJ 03-Feb-2023
PMCID:PMC9901306
doi:10.7717/peerj.14573
PMID:36755871
Alterations of ecosystem nitrogen status following agricultural land abandonment in the Karst Critical Zone Observatory (KCZO), Southwest China Liu M, Han G PeerJ 27-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9885863
doi:10.7717/peerj.14790
PMID:36726724
Twigs of dove tree in high-latitude region tend to increase biomass accumulation in vegetative organs but decrease it in reproductive organs Liang Z, Liu T, Chen X, Xu W, Dong T, Liu Q, Xu X Front Plant Sci 13-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9880204
doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.1088955
PMID:36714716
Ethnobotanical study of the wild edible and healthy functional plant resources of the Gelao people in northern Guizhou, China Xie J, Liu F, Jia X, Zhao Y, Liu X, Luo M, He Y, Liu S, Wu F J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 19-Dec-2022
PMCID:PMC9761637
doi:10.1186/s13002-022-00572-2
PMID:36536370
Miao sour soup influences serum lipid via regulation of high‐fat diet‐induced intestinal flora in obese rats Zhou Q, Qu Z, Wang N, Liu H, Yang H, Wang H Food Sci Nutr 07-Dec-2022
PMCID:PMC10171530
doi:10.1002/fsn3.3136
PMID:37181324
Phylogenetic Relationships and Disturbance Explain the Resistance of Different Habitats to Plant Invasions Guo C, Zhao C, Li F, Huang J Life (Basel) 04-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9695334
doi:10.3390/life12111785
PMID:36362941

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
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines
(+)-Launobine 5318956 Click to see 311.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Laurotetanin 267400 Click to see 327.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 3469 Click to see 154.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthoquinones
3,4-Dioxonaphthalen-1-olate 25202955 Click to see 173.14 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Medium-chain fatty acids
(Z)-4-Decenoic acid 5312351 Click to see CCCCCC=CCCC(=O)O 170.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Npc283274 11252659 Click to see 201.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters
Dodecyl acetate 8205 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCOC(=O)C 228.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Long-chain fatty alcohols
(E)-tetradec-5-en-1-ol 6431325 Click to see CCCCCCCCC=CCCCCO 212.37 unknown via CMAUP database
6-Tetradecen-1-ol, (E) 6431327 Click to see 212.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesterterpenoids / Scalarane sesterterpenoids
Taraxerol 92097 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Triterpene glycosides / Triterpene saponins
Trachelosperogenin A1, >=95% (LC/MS-ELSD) 21637743 Click to see 680.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(2R,3R,4R,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aR,12S,12aS,14aR,14bR)-2,3,12-trihydroxy-4,6a,6b,11,11,14b-hexamethyl-8a-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicene-4-carboxylic acid 101673896 Click to see 680.80 unknown via CMAUP database
(5R,8R,9S,10R,13R,14R,17S)-17-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl]-4,4,8,10,14-pentamethyl-1,2,5,6,7,9,11,12,13,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one 12309262 Click to see CC(=CCCC(C)(C1CCC2(C1CCC3C2(CCC4C3(CCC(=O)C4(C)C)C)C)C)O)C 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3R,4R,4aS,6aS,6aS,6bR,8aR,12aR,14aS,14bS)-4,4a,6a,6b,8a,11,11,14a-octamethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14b-hexadecahydropicen-3-yl] acetate 13688749 Click to see 470.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Friedelin 91472 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Glutinol 9932254 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C4CC=C5C(C4(CCC3(C2C1)C)C)CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Glutinone 10071029 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C4CC=C5C(C4(CCC3(C2C1)C)C)CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C 424.70 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 / Secondary alcohols / Cyclohexanols
Quercitol 441437 Click to see C1C(C(C(C(C1O)O)O)O)O 164.16 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones
16-Hentriacontanone 94741 Click to see 450.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
P-Coumaric Acid 637542 Click to see 164.16 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins
Scopoletin 5280460 Click to see 192.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids
[(2R,3R,4R)-4-[(2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-8-yl]-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-3-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate 13831071 Click to see 746.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Benzoic acid, 3,4,5-trihydroxy-, (2R,2'R,3R,3'R,4R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,3',4,4'-tetrahydro-5,5',7,7'-tetrahydroxy-2'-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)(4,8'-bi-2H-1-benzopyran)-3,3'-diyl ester 11622083 Click to see 898.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Epicatechin-(4beta->8)-epigallocatechin 3'-gallate 11513300 Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C34)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C(=C6)O)O)O)OC(=O)C7=CC(=C(C(=C7)O)O)O 746.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Procyanidin B3 146798 Click to see 578.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Procyanidin B3 3,3'-digallate 12795892 Click to see 882.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Prodelphinidin B3 13831068 Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C34)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C(=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)C6=CC(=C(C(=C6)O)O)O)O 610.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins
Catechin 9064 Click to see 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Epicatechin 72276 Click to see 290.27 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins / Catechin gallates
(-)-Epicatechin gallate 107905 Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C21)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)OC(=O)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)O)O)O 442.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-Catechin 3-Gallate 5276454 Click to see 442.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Epigallocatechin Gallate 65064 Click to see 458.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins / Epigallocatechins
Epigallocatechin 72277 Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C21)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)O)O)O)O 306.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Gallocatechin 65084 Click to see 306.27 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid 3-O-p-coumaroyl glycosides
[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-4,5-diacetyloxy-6-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-3-[(Z)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate 10418008 Click to see 824.70 unknown via CMAUP database
3'',4''-Di-O-acetyl-2'',6''-di-O-p-coumaroylastragalin 10328097 Click to see 824.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Kaempferol 3-(2'',6''-di-(E)-p-coumarylglucoside) 10439991 Click to see 740.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxy-dihydrochalcones
2',6'-Dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone 169676 Click to see 272.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxychalcones
2',6'-Dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone 5316793 Click to see 270.28 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Macrolides and analogues
(17S)-9-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-16-oxa-24-azapentacyclo[15.7.1.18,12.02,7.019,24]hexacosa-2,4,6,8,10,12(26)-hexaen-15-one 5316415 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C3CC(CC4N3CCCC4)OC(=O)CCC5=CC2=C(C=C5)O)OC 437.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins
1-Epi-castalagin 12302512 Click to see 934.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Castalagin 12302513 Click to see 934.60 unknown via CMAUP database

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