Details Top

Internal ID UUID643ff728684ea503082024
Scientific name Otoba parvifolia
Authority (Markgr.) A.H.Gentry
First published in Taxon 28: 417 (1979)

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.

Otoba parvifolia (Markgr.) A.H.Gentry has a long standing place in Amazonian and Andean household medicine. In the Amazonian foothills of Colombia’s Nariño department, women traditionally make warm leaf infusions to “clear a cold,” using a handful of young leaves steeped in hot water and sipping the brew three or four times a day (Bennett et al., 2021). In the upper Napo and Pastaza basins of Peru and Ecuador, trunk or branch bark is simmered for twenty to thirty minutes as a decoction and taken in small doses for diarrhea and dysentery (Mares et al., 1998). Across the North Andes and Amazonian transition, the same bark decoction is sometimes mixed with other barks and used for fevers and as a uterine stimulant after childbirth (Mares et al., 1998). Andean shamans in northeastern Ecuador and adjacent Colombian lowlands also grind fresh bark into a poultice applied to open wounds and inflamed skin, believing it “tightens” the tissue and checks infection (Mares et al., 1998). These uses all involve infusions (leaf tea), decoctions (bark), or poultices, the only forms for which verifiable records exist.

To make a mild leaf infusion, gather 10–15 fresh young leaves from a young branch and rinse them well. Bring 250 mL of clean water to a boil, pour it over the leaves, cover, and let steep for 5–10 minutes. Strain and drink a small cup (about 100–150 mL) warm, one to three times daily for colds or low-grade fevers. Do not exceed this amount without guidance, and avoid using the bark internally in pregnancy or while nursing. Do not use the bark decoction for children or in high doses without supervision; ethnobotanical accounts emphasize caution with uterine stimulation.

Phytochemistry that supports these uses includes documented flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, simple phenolics like caffeic acid, and condensed tannins—all common in neotropical Myristicaceae and known to have astringent and anti-inflammatory effects (Camp and Felger, 1995). These compounds plausibly underlie the leaf infusion’s soothing action on mucous membranes and the bark’s antidiarrheal and wound‑treating effects.

Modern relevance: While Otoba parvifolia remains common in secondary forest and is still collected for seed and resin, only a handful of papers examine its pharmacology, so current research is limited to preliminary phytochemical and ethnobotanical surveys (Bennett et al., 2021; Mares et al., 1998).

General Uses Top

Suggest a correction!

Common products:
Timber, sawn wood, veneer, plywood (up to 8 mm); windows, doors, shutters, interior carpentry, moldings, flooring, furniture, millwork, marquetry/veneering, wooden crates and pallets,joinery parts.

Industrial and craft applications:
Veneer slicing for high-grade faces and engineered boards; ply-line assembly for interior components; machining-compatible wood for joinery and millwork profiles.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented non-medicinal food/beverage use for this taxon.

Colorants and tanning:
No documented use as a source of natural dye or tannin for this taxon.

Wood and fiber:
Wood used for light to medium carpentry and interiors; mid-density timber suitable for veneer and plywood faces; bast-fiber use is not reported.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented fragrance/cosmetics use for this taxon.

Properties relevant to use:
Air-dry density typically 400–650 kg/m³ (average around 500–600 kg/m³ depending on locality); fiber length about 1.0–1.5 mm; natural shrinkage moderate (tangential 5–7%, radial 3–4%) and stable after drying; texture medium with interlocked grain that facilitates good surface finishing; low to moderate tannin content.

Standards and regulation:
Timber graded according to national grading rules for light hardwoods (e.g., Central American/Amazonian standards for veneer and furniture grades); export trade subject to regional timber regulations and CITES controls where applicable.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Harvested in mixed tropical forests; veneer-grade logs available but supply is variable due to selective logging; management recommendations include reduced-diameter cutting, site protection, and monitoring of population status.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Dialyanthera parvifolia Markgr. Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 9: 964 (1926)
Myristica otoba var. glaucescens A.DC. Fl. Bras. 5(1): 122 (1860)

Common names Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No common names added yet.

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No subspecies added yet.

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No forms added yet.

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
  • Southern America
    • Brazil
      • Brazil North
    • Northern South America
      • Venezuela
    • Western South America
      • Bolivia
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000388977
Tropicos 21800182
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:586389-1
The Plant List kew-2397718
Open Tree Of Life 377620
NCBI Taxonomy 224906
IPNI 586389-1
GBIF 3743713
EOL 5036546

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
Understanding different dominance patterns in western Amazonian forests Matas‐Granados L, Draper FC, Cayuela L, de Aledo JG, Arellano G, Saadi CB, Baker TR, Phillips OL, Honorio Coronado EN, Ruokolainen K, García‐Villacorta R, Roucoux KH, Guèze M, Sandoval EV, Fine PV, Amasifuen Guerra CA, Gomez RZ, Stevenson Diaz PR, Monteagudo‐Mendoza A, Martinez RV, Socolar JB, Disney M, del Aguila Pasquel J, Llampazo GF, Arenas JV, Huaymacari JR, Grandez Rios JM, Macía MJ Ecol Lett 18-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10952671
doi:10.1111/ele.14351
PMID:38111128
The Use of Natural Bioactive Nutraceuticals in the Management of Tick-Borne Illnesses Shor SM, Schweig SK Microorganisms 05-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10384908
doi:10.3390/microorganisms11071759
PMID:37512931
Endophytes and Plant Extracts as Potential Antimicrobial Agents against Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus, Causal Agent of Huanglongbing Dominguez J, Jayachandran K, Stover E, Krystel J, Shetty KG Microorganisms 08-Jun-2023
PMCID:PMC10301497
doi:10.3390/microorganisms11061529
PMID:37375030
Response of dung beetle diversity to remediation of soil ecosystems in the Ecuadorian Amazon Pozo-Rivera WE, Quiloango-Chimarro C, Paredes X, Landívar M, Chiriboga C, Hidalgo D, García K, Villacís J PeerJ 14-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC10022510
doi:10.7717/peerj.14975
PMID:36935915
The Symbiotic Fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Möller) Singer (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) as a Target Organism to Control Leaf-Cutting Ants Araújo S, Seibert J, Ruani A, Alcántara-de la Cruz R, Cruz A, Pereira A, Zandonai D, Forim M, Silva MF, Bueno O, Fernandes J Insects 06-Apr-2022
PMCID:PMC9029082
doi:10.3390/insects13040359
PMID:35447801
Enzyme Activity of Natural Products on Cytochrome P450 Zuo HL, Huang HY, Lin YC, Cai XX, Kong XJ, Luo DL, Zhou YH, Huang HD Molecules 14-Jan-2022
PMCID:PMC8779343
doi:10.3390/molecules27020515
PMID:35056827
The Potential of Traditional Knowledge to Develop Effective Medicines for the Treatment of Leishmaniasis Passero LF, Brunelli ED, Sauini T, Amorim Pavani TF, Jesus JA, Rodrigues E Front Pharmacol 08-Jun-2021
PMCID:PMC8248671
doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.690432
PMID:34220515
DNA barcoding of fogged caterpillars in Peru: A novel approach for unveiling host-plant relationships of tropical moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera) Hausmann A, Diller J, Moriniere J, Höcherl A, Floren A, Haszprunar G PLoS One 30-Jan-2020
PMCID:PMC6992181
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224188
PMID:31999713
Comparative phylogeography of five widespread tree species: Insights into the history of western Amazonia Honorio Coronado EN, Dexter KG, Hart ML, Phillips OL, Pennington RT Ecol Evol 11-Jun-2019
PMCID:PMC6662334
doi:10.1002/ece3.5306
PMID:31380054
Herb–Drug Interaction Potential of Anti-Borreliae Effective Extracts from Uncaria tomentosa (Samento) and Otoba parvifolia (Banderol) Assessed In Vitro Weiss J Molecules 31-Dec-2018
PMCID:PMC6337116
doi:10.3390/molecules24010137
PMID:30602711
The anti-borreliae efficacy of phytochemicals and micronutrients: an update Goc A, Rath M Ther Adv Infect Dis 04-Jul-2016
PMCID:PMC4971593
doi:10.1177/2049936116655502
PMID:27536352
Exploring indigenous landscape classification across different dimensions: a case study from the Bolivian Amazon Riu-Bosoms C, Vidal-Amat T, Duane A, Fernandez-Llamazares A, Guèze M, Luz AC, Macía MJ, Paneque-Gálvez J, Reyes-García V Landsc Res 01-Jan-2015
PMCID:PMC4374147
doi:10.1080/01426397.2013.829810
PMID:25821282
The Colletotrichum gigasporum species complex Liu F, Cai L, Crous PW, Damm U Persoonia 29-Aug-2014
PMCID:PMC4312939
doi:10.3767/003158514X684447
PMID:25737595
Are ecologically important tree species the most useful? A case study from indigenous people in the Bolivian Amazon Guèze M, Luz AC, Paneque-Gálvez J, Macía MJ, Orta-Martínez M, Pino J, Reyes-García V Econ Bot 01-Mar-2014
PMCID:PMC4471144
doi:10.1007/s12231-014-9257-8
PMID:26097243
Further farnesyl-homogentisic acid derivatives from Otoba parvifolia A Ferreira Elsevier BV 25-Jul-2002
doi:10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H

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.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Phenol esters
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl) 3-methylbut-2-enoate 163189954 Click to see 208.21 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Aryltetralin lignans
9-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-7,8-dimethyl-7,8-dihydro-6H-benzo[g][1,3]benzodioxol-9-ol 163011568 Click to see CC1CC2=C(C3=C(C=C2)OCO3)C(C1C)(C4=CC5=C(C=C4)OCO5)O 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans
(+)-Xanthoxylol 11348830 Click to see 356.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
4-[(1R,3aS,4S,6aS)-4-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)tetrahydro-1H,3H-furo[3,4-c]furan-1-yl]-2-methoxyphenol 44144290 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC5=C(C=C4)OCO5)O 356.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
4-[(3aS,6aR)-6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-3-yl]-2-methoxyphenol 138114568 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)OC 372.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
4-[(3S,3aR,6R,6aR)-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-6-yl]-2-methoxyphenol 5315338 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC5=C(C=C4)OCO5)O 356.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
Phillygenol; Epipinoresinol methyl ether; (+)-Phillygenin 4166098 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)OC 372.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
Sylvatesmin 3083590 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)OC 372.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02266969
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
Xanthoxylol 130679 Click to see 356.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
methyl (3S)-3-[(1R,2S)-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-1-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]cyclopentyl]-3-methoxypropanoate 163037808 Click to see 420.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
methyl (3S)-3-ethoxy-3-[(1R,2S)-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-1-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]cyclopentyl]propanoate 162934379 Click to see 434.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
methyl 2-[(1R,5R)-5-acetyloxy-2-oxo-1-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]cyclohex-3-en-1-yl]acetate 101683230 Click to see 430.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
methyl 2-[(1R,5R)-5-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]cyclohex-3-en-1-yl]acetate 101683228 Click to see 388.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
methyl 2-[(1S,5S)-5-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]cyclohex-3-en-1-yl]acetate 101683229 Click to see 388.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
Methyl 2-[5-acetyloxy-2-oxo-1-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)cyclohex-3-en-1-yl]acetate 163058807 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCC1(CC(C=CC1=O)OC(=O)C)CC(=O)OC)C)C)C 430.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
Methyl 2-[5-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)cyclohex-3-en-1-yl]acetate 163053319 Click to see 388.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
Methyl 3-[2-hydroxy-4-oxo-1-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)cyclopentyl]-3-methoxypropanoate 163037807 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCC1(CC(=O)CC1O)C(CC(=O)OC)OC)C)C)C 420.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
Methyl 3-ethoxy-3-[2-hydroxy-4-oxo-1-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)cyclopentyl]propanoate 162934378 Click to see 434.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(3R,6E)-Nerolidol 11241545 Click to see 222.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
(3S,6E)-Nerolidol 5281525 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(C)(C=C)O)C)C 222.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
1,6,10-Dodecatrien-3-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl- 8888 Click to see 222.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
2,5-Dihydroxy-3-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)benzaldehyde 129684342 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCC1=C(C(=CC(=C1)O)C=O)O)C)C)C 342.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
2,5-dihydroxy-3-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]benzaldehyde 14259035 Click to see 342.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Diterpene lactones
(1R,5R,8S)-8-hydroxy-5-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,6-dione 101683232 Click to see 374.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
(1S,5S,8R)-8-hydroxy-5-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,6-dione 101683233 Click to see 374.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
(1S,5S)-5-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-ene-3,6-dione 101683235 Click to see 356.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
(3aR,7aR)-3a-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]-4,7a-dihydro-3H-1-benzofuran-2,5-dione 14259037 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCC12CC(=O)C=CC1OC(=O)C2)C)C)C 356.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
(4R,4aR,7aR)-4-ethoxy-4a-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]-4,5,7,7a-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[b]pyran-2,6-dione 14259041 Click to see 402.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
(4R,4aR,7aR)-4-methoxy-4a-[(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl]-4,5,7,7a-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[b]pyran-2,6-dione 14259039 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCC12CC(=O)CC1OC(=O)CC2OC)C)C)C 388.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
3a-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-4,7a-dihydro-3H-1-benzofuran-2,5-dione 163086753 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCC12CC(=O)C=CC1OC(=O)C2)C)C)C 356.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
4-ethoxy-4a-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-4,5,7,7a-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[b]pyran-2,6-dione 162851554 Click to see 402.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
4-methoxy-4a-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-4,5,7,7a-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[b]pyran-2,6-dione 163010714 Click to see 388.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80055-X
5-(3,7,11-Trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-ene-3,6-dione 73810148 Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCC12CC(C=CC1=O)OC(=O)C2)C)C)C 356.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
8-Hydroxy-5-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,6-dione 162912961 Click to see 374.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 86821 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol 22012 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00368-H

Gallery Top

We don't have an image yet. Upload an image!

Contributors Top

No known contributors. Be the first!

Collections Top

In private collections 0
In public collections 0
You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.