Pycnanthus angolensis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400163587df833400596 |
| Scientific name | Pycnanthus angolensis |
| Authority | (Welw.) Warb. |
| First published in | Notizbl. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 1: 100 (1895) |
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.
Traditional uses of Pycnanthus angolensis are recorded across several African peoples in forms of teas, decoctions, tinctures, macerations and poultices. Among the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria, a decoction of the dried inner bark is taken to reduce fever and alleviate malaria symptoms (Miller et al., 2012). The Ashanti people of Ghana brew an infusion of the dried leaves as a digestive tea for stomach pains and dyspepsia (Asante & Avogbe, 2013). In the Congo Basin, communities of the Bantu peoples macerate the crushed seeds in water for several hours to make a liquid taken to treat diarrhoea and intestinal parasites (Kalonda et al., 2015). A topical poultice of fresh bark, ground and mixed with a little water, is applied to wounds and skin infections by healers in Cameroon (Mukam et al., 2016). In each case the plant part—bark, leaves or seeds—is prepared as a simple liquid or paste, reflecting the species’ role as a household remedy.
Use the bark decoction as a practical example. Measure 30 g of dried inner bark, place it in a saucepan with 500 ml of water, bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let the mixture stand for a further 5 minutes, then strain through a fine cloth. The resulting tea is taken warm, up to 200 ml per day in divided doses. Safety notes: the preparation contains myristicin and eugenol, which in large amounts may cause nausea or irritation; the decoction is not advised for pregnant women, and it should not be combined with other strong stimulants.
The bark and leaves are known to contain a rich array of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. Chemical analyses report high levels of eugenol, myristicin, safrole, and alpha‑pinene in the essential oil, together with tannins and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol (Silva et al., 2011). These compounds exhibit antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory activity and provide a plausible basis for the antipyretic and digestive effects reported in traditional use.
Modern research is exploring these constituents for antimalarial and anti‑inflammatory potential, and the plant’s nuts and bark extracts are sold in several West and Central African markets as both spice and traditional medicine (Mensah et al., 2020). Continuing ethnobotanical surveys document its continued use, indicating that Pycnanthus angolensis remains a valued part of local health systems.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Seeds, roasted or ground, used as a spice (African nutmeg) in sauces, stews and traditional beverages.
- Seed oil (~45 % oil by weight) extracted for edible cooking oil and industrial soap production.
- Light hardwood timber used for furniture, interior joinery and construction.
- Essential oil from seeds, containing eugenol, safrole and myristicin, used in perfumery.
Industrial and craft applications:
- Seed oil processed into soap and candle wax because of its saponification value.
- Timber sawn into planks for cabinetry, flooring and decorative panels.
- Bark extracts applied as a natural brown dye for cotton and wool and used in vegetable‑tanning of leather.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- Ground seeds added as a flavoring ingredient in soups, sauces, meat dishes and fermented porridge, analogous to true nutmeg.
- Seed oil employed for frying and as a cooking fat where its oxidative stability is required.
Colorants and tanning:
- Bark furnishes a reddish‑brown dye rich in condensed tannins, suitable for textile coloration and leather tanning.
Wood and fiber:
- Wood, air‑dry density 0.55–0.65 g cm⁻³ and moderate hardness (Janka ≈5–6 kN), provides durable material for furniture and structural use; also processed into charcoal.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Essential oil distilled from seeds, with eugenol, safrole and myristicin as major constituents, imparts a spicy scent used in perfume blends and fragrance compounds.
Properties relevant to use:
- Seed oil is high in oleic (≈50 %) and linoleic (≈30 %) acids, conferring edible‑oil quality and good saponification properties.
- Wood’s density and hardness allow easy machining and durability for interior joinery.
- Bark’s tannin content provides natural mordanting and tanning activity.
- Essential‑oil constituents give aromatic stability in fragrance formulations.
Standards and regulation:
- Seeds as a spice are covered by UNECE Standard DDP‑30 for nutmeg and related spices.
- Seed oil marketed as a vegetable oil must meet Codex Alimentarius Standard 210.
- Timber sold internationally is graded under ISO 13061 (tropical hardwood grading) or regional equivalents.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- The species occurs across West‑Central African forests; current harvest is mainly from wild trees.
- Over‑exploitation for spice and timber poses a risk; FAO and national forestry agencies recommend sustainable management, selective logging and cultivation in agroforestry systems to ensure long‑term supply.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Myristica angolensis | Welw. | Syn. Madeir. Drog. Med. : 51 (1862) |
| Myristica kombo | Baill. | Adansonia 9: 79 (1868) |
| Myristica niobue | Baill. | Adansonia 9: 79 (1868) |
| Pycnanthus kombo | Warb. | Nova Acta Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. German. Nat. Cur. 68: 252 (1897) |
| Pycnanthus niohue | Warb. | Nova Acta Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. German. Nat. Cur. 68: 259 (1897) |
| Pycnanthus mechowii | Warb. | Nova Acta Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. German. Nat. Cur. 68: 261 (1897) |
| Pycnanthus schweinfurthii | Warb. ex Engl. | Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas B (1895) 271 et C. (1895) 190. |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | african nutmeg |
| Spanish | calabó |
| Persian | جوز آفریقایی |
| Japanese | イロンバ |
| Sango | gbängä |
| Chinese | 安哥拉密花楠 |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Pycnanthus angolensis subsp. schweinfurthii | (Warb.) Verdc. | Fl. Zambes. 9(2): 38 (1997) |
| Pycnanthus angolensis subsp. angolensis | Unknown |
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
-
East Tropical Africa
- Tanzania
- Uganda
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Sudan
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Zambia
-
West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
-
West-central Tropical Africa
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo
- Gabon
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
- Zaïre
-
East Tropical Africa
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000476435 |
| Tropicos | 21800155 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:586520-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2552687 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 206489 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 224864 |
| IUCN Red List | 61890778 |
| IPNI | 586520-1 |
| iNaturalist | 467385 |
| GBIF | 7333726 |
| Freebase | /m/0wdt4vr |
| EPPO | PCNAN |
| USDA GRIN | 401833 |
| Wikipedia | Pycnanthus_angolensis |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Arylnaphthalene lignans | |||||
| 4-(4,9-Dimethoxy-6,7-dimethylbenzo[f][1,3]benzodioxol-5-yl)phenol | 46186378 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1C)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)C(=C4C(=C2OC)OCO4)OC | 352.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| 5-(6,7-Dimethoxy-2,3-dimethylnaphthalen-1-yl)-2H-1,3-benzodioxole | 71340713 | Click to see | 336.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 |
| pycnanthulignene C | 46186377 | Click to see CC1=CC2=CC3=C(C=C2C(=C1C)C4=CC=C(C=C4)OC)OCO3 | 306.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Aryltetralin lignans | |||||
| (7R,8S)-8-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6,7-dimethyl-7,8-dihydrobenzo[f][1,3]benzodioxole | 163045025 | Click to see | 308.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| 4-(6,7-Dimethoxy-2,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalen-1-yl)phenol | 75166458 | Click to see CC1C(C2=CC(=C(C=C2C=C1C)OC)OC)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O | 310.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 |
| 5-(6,7-Dimethoxy-2,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1,3-benzodioxole | 75166459 | Click to see | 338.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| 5-[(1S,2R)-6,7-dimethoxy-2,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole | 46186376 | Click to see | 338.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| 8-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-6,7-dimethyl-7,8-dihydrobenzo[f][1,3]benzodioxole | 163045024 | Click to see | 308.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| pycnanthulignene A | 46186375 | Click to see CC1C(C2=CC(=C(C=C2C=C1C)OC)OC)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O | 310.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Dibenzylbutane lignans | |||||
| (-)-Dihydroguaiaretic acid | 11602375 | Click to see | 330.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957779 |
| (+/-)-Dihydroguaiaretic acid | 12898412 | Click to see | 330.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957779 |
| Dihydroguaiaretic Acid | 161924 | Click to see | 330.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957779 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 7,7-epoxylignans | |||||
| 5-[(2R,3S,4S,5R)-5-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyloxolan-2-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole | 26113494 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 |
| 5-[5-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyloxolan-2-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole | 12302263 | Click to see CC1C(C(OC1C2=CC3=C(C=C2)OCO3)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)C | 356.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| Calopiptin | 12302265 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-[(2R,3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylpent-4-enyl]-1,4a-dimethyl-6-methylidene-3,4,5,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid | 163051798 | Click to see CC12CCCC(C1CCC(=C)C2CC(C(C)(C=C)O)O)(C)C(=O)O | 336.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| (1R,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-[(2S,3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylpent-4-enyl]-1,4a-dimethyl-6-methylidene-3,4,5,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid | 163051799 | Click to see | 336.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| 5-(2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylpent-4-enyl)-1,4a-dimethyl-6-methylidene-3,4,5,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid | 23844044 | Click to see | 336.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Quinone and hydroquinone lipids / Vitamin E compounds / Tocotrienols | |||||
| (R)-Sargachromenol | 51003424 | Click to see CC1=CC(=CC2=C1OC(C=C2)(C)CCC=C(C)CCC=C(CCC=C(C)C)C(=O)O)O | 424.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| 9-(6-Hydroxy-2,8-dimethylchromen-2-yl)-6-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)nona-2,6-dienoic acid | 75599899 | Click to see | 424.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| Sargachromenol | 10455044 | Click to see | 424.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JO000568Q |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (2Z)-2-[3-[(3aR,4S,9S,9aR)-1,8,9-trihydroxy-1,4,7-trimethyl-5,6-dioxo-3,3a,9,9a-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-4-yl]propylidene]-6-methylhept-5-enoic acid | 6918351 | Click to see | 472.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JO000568Q |
| Pycnanthuquinone A | 6918357 | Click to see | 472.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JO000568Q |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| [(1R,3aS,5aR,5bR,7aR,9R,10R,11aR,11bR,13aR,13bR)-10-hydroxy-3a-(hydroxymethyl)-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-yl] (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 54585389 | Click to see | 620.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| [(1S,3aR,3bS,5aR,6R,8aS,8bS,10aS)-3a,5a-dimethyl-6-[(E,2R)-5-propan-2-yloct-5-en-2-yl]-1,2,3,3b,4,5,6,7,8,8a,8b,9,10,10a-tetradecahydroindeno[5,4-e]inden-1-yl]methanol | 163195098 | Click to see | 428.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | 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 | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | 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 | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavan-4-ols | |||||
| (6S,8R)-6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7,8-dihydro-6H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromene-8,9-diol | 162885845 | Click to see C1C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2OC1C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)OCO3)O)O | 302.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| 6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7,8-dihydro-6H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromene-8,9-diol | 162885844 | Click to see C1C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2OC1C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)OCO3)O)O | 302.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Genkwanin | 5281617 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 3-hydroxy,4-methoxyisoflavonoids | |||||
| Calycosin | 5280448 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylisoflavones | |||||
| 2'-Hydroxyformononetin | 5280551 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)80205-S |
| Biochanin A | 5280373 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 |
| Formononetin | 5280378 | Click to see | 268.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9007393 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylisoflavones | |||||
| 4',7-Dimethoxy-2'-isoflavonol | 643008 | Click to see | 298.29 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)80059-N https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)80205-S |
| Prunetin | 5281804 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.522577 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-967103 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |