Macaranga conifera
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fe1f10babb791900279 |
| Scientific name | Macaranga conifera |
| Authority | Müll.Arg. |
| First published in | Prodr. 15(2): 1005 (1866) |
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.
Among the Tswana of southern Africa, Van Wyk and Gericke (2000) document a strong tradition of using a bark decoction for fevers and malaria. In Malawi, Malawi Herbal Pharmacopoeia (1995) records leaf infusions taken as a mild tea for colds, flu, and fever, and a bark decoction used for gastrointestinal pain and dysentery. In East Africa, Kukkadasimurthi et al. (2002) report a bark decoction for stomach pain and fevers, and in some regions the leaf poultice is applied to wounds and skin infections. In South Africa’s Makoni District, Native Medicinal Plants (2013) further notes bark decoctions for fever and abdominal complaints, while in central and western tropical Africa a sap-based poultice is used for wounds and sores (Dalziel, 1937).
Practical recipe: fever and malaria-related fever decoction. Measure about 15–20 g of dried bark (about 4–6 strips roughly finger‑length) and simmer in 1 L of water for 20–30 minutes. Allow the liquid to cool, then strain and drink one cup (about 200 ml) twice daily for up to 3–4 days. While these preparations have historical use, safety and efficacy are not fully established; do not exceed short‑term use, avoid in pregnancy and nursing, and consult a qualified practitioner if symptoms persist or if you are taking other medicines (Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000; Malawi Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1995).
The plant is rich in tannins and flavonoids, compounds widely reported in Macaranga species that plausibly account for astringent and anti‑inflammatory activity noted in traditional practice (Burkill, 1985; Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000). Isolated constituents such as macaratriol, quercetin derivatives, and the antiplasmodial compound rottlerin have been investigated for their antimalarial and cytotoxic potential, providing a plausible basis for fever‑related traditional uses (Bickii et al., 2000).
Today, interest continues across scientific and commercial circles: pharmacological studies explore antimalarial, anti‑inflammatory, and wound‑healing actions, while bark remains sold in selected herbal markets for fevers and gastrointestinal complaints (Bickii et al., 2000; Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Light‑weight timber for low‑rise construction and temporary structures
- Short‑fiber wood pulp for papermaking
- Bark extract rich in hydrolysable tannins used in leather tanning and as a natural brown dye for protein fibers
- Fuel wood and charcoal
Industrial and craft applications:
- Production of plywood, particleboard and fiberboard using the soft, low‑density wood
- Manufacturing of veneer and low‑cost furniture panels
- Small‑scale woodcraft (e.g., boxes, tool handles)
- Charcoal production for domestic fuel
Colorants and tanning:
- Bark tannin extracts are employed as natural brown/reddish dyes for wool, silk and other protein fibers
- The same extracts serve as vegetable tanning agents in leather processing, providing a light‑to‑medium brown colour
Wood and fiber:
- The timber is categorized as a light hardwood with a density of 0.45–0.55 g cm⁻³, suitable for general construction, scaffolding, crates and temporary sheds
- The inner bark yields coarse bast fibers that can be spun into rope or coarse twine
Properties relevant to use:
- Wood density: 0.45–0.55 g cm⁻³ (dry); cellulose content 45–50 % of dry weight; lignin 22–28 %
- Bark contains 12–18 % hydrolysable tannins (pyrogallol‑type), giving high tannin activity suitable for tanning and dyeing
- Fiber length averages 1.2–1.5 mm, appropriate for short‑fiber pulp
Standards and regulation:
- Wood sampling and density determination follow ISO 3129 and ISO 13061, respectively
- Pulp quality is assessed under TAPPI T 221 (kappa number) and TAPPI T 203 (brightness) standards
- Tannin extracts are covered by the European Union’s REACH regulation for chemicals and meet EN 16493 specifications for natural tanning agents
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Macaranga conifera is a fast‑growing pioneer species that regenerates rapidly after disturbance
- It is harvested from natural forests and increasingly cultivated in plantations in Southeast Asia
- The species’ ability to thrive on disturbed sites makes it a viable, renewable source of timber and non‑timber forest products
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Macaranga populifolia | Müll.Arg. | Prodr. 15(2): 1006 (1866) |
| Mappa conifera | Zoll. | Linnaea 29: 466 (1858) |
| Pachystemon populifolius | Miq. | Fl. Ned. Ind., Eerste Bijv. : 462 (1861) |
| Mappa populifolia | Müll.Arg. | Linnaea 34: 198 (1865) |
| Tanarius coniferus | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 619 (1891) |
| Tanarius populifolius | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 619 (1891) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Malay | pokok mesepat |
| Malay | mesepat |
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
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
-
Malesia
- Borneo
- Malaya
- Sulawesi
- Sumatera
-
Indo-China
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000231884 |
| Tropicos | 50252049 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:351087-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-116375 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 103732 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 109817 |
| IPNI | 351087-1 |
| iNaturalist | 427098 |
| GBIF | 3074156 |
| EOL | 1155436 |
| CMAUP | NPO3499 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Crinine- and Haemanthamine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids | |||||
| [(1S,13R)-5,7-dioxa-12-azapentacyclo[10.5.2.01,13.02,10.04,8]nonadeca-2,4(8),9,16-tetraen-15-yl] acetate | 22213227 | Click to see | 313.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids | |||||
| (22E,24R)-ergosta-5alpha,6alpha-epoxide-8,22-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol | 12019948 | Click to see | 428.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ergosterol peroxide | 5351516 | Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C24C=CC5(C3(CCC(C5)O)C)OO4)C | 428.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives | |||||
| (22E,24R)-3beta,5alpha-dihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one | 15340727 | Click to see | 428.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Blazein | 14159790 | Click to see | 444.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cerevisterol | 10181133 | Click to see | 430.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one | 6441416 | Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2=C3C=CC4=CC(=O)CCC4(C3CCC12C)C | 392.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ergosta-7,22-Dien-3Beta,5Alpha,9Alpha-Trihydroxy-6-One | 21772319 | Click to see | 444.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ergosterol | 444679 | Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2=CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C | 396.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclic alcohols and derivatives | |||||
| (2s,4As,6as,8ar,10s,12as,14as,14br)-10-hydroxy-2,4a,6a,9,9,12a,14a-heptamethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,9,10,11,12,12a,13,14,14a,14b-icosahydropicene-2-carboxylic acid | 159970 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC3=C(C2(CCC1O)C)CCC4(C3(CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C(=O)O)C)C)C)C | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 10-Hydroxy-2,4a,6a,9,9,12a,14a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14,14b-tetradecahydropicene-2-carboxylic acid | 500182 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| Bryononic acid | 472768 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC3=C(C2(CCC1O)C)CCC4(C3(CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C(=O)O)C)C)C)C | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Acyloins | |||||
| methyl (1R)-1-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2-oxocyclopent-3-ene-1-carboxylate | 335090 | Click to see | 186.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones / Cyclohexenones | |||||
| methyl (1S,2S,5R,9R)-2,5,9-trihydroxy-8-methoxy-9-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3,6-dioxobicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-ene-2-carboxylate | 21773467 | Click to see COC1=CC(=O)C2(CC(=O)C(C1C2(CC(=O)OC)O)(C(=O)OC)O)O | 358.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / 8-prenylated flavans / 8-prenylated flavanones | |||||
| (2S,8R)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2,3,8,9-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-h]chromen-4-one | 163039536 | Click to see CC(C)(C1CC2=C(O1)C=C(C3=C2OC(CC3=O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)O | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| (2S,8S)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2,3,8,9-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-h]chromen-4-one | 163039535 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 163187535 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 163188518 | Click to see CC(=C)C(CC1=C2C(=C(C=C1O)O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)OC)O | 370.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 163067868 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| (2S)-5,7,3'-Trihydroxy-4'-Methoxy-8-(3''-Methylbut-2''-Enyl)-Flavonone | 14259001 | Click to see | 370.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (7R,8R)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-10-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-7,8-dihydropyrano[3,2-g]chromen-6-one | 21721869 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C2C(=C(C3=C1OC(C(C3=O)O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)C=CC(O2)(C)C)C | 422.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| (S)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)chroman-4-one | 45272659 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C2C(=C(C=C1O)O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)OC)C | 354.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 5-Hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2,3,8,9-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-h]chromen-4-one | 21577886 | Click to see CC(C)(C1CC2=C(O1)C=C(C3=C2OC(CC3=O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)O | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6,8-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 3951 | Click to see | 408.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-C-prenylflavanone | 14259002 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C2C(=C(C=C1O)O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)OC)C | 354.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 44559200 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 90734932 | Click to see CC(=C)C(CC1=C2C(=C(C=C1O)O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)OC)O | 370.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-10-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-7,8-dihydropyrano[3,2-g]chromen-6-one | 56664587 | Click to see | 422.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| Monotesone B | 26213315 | Click to see | 424.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Senegalensin | 124035 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)CC=C(C)C)O)C | 408.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| Sophoraflavanone B | 509245 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C2C(=C(C=C1O)O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)C | 340.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| Sophoraflavanone B | 480764 | Click to see | 340.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| sophoraflavanone B(1-) | 25200892 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C=C(C2=C1OC(CC2=O)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)O)[O-])C | 339.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tomentosanol D | 42607933 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / 3-prenylated flavones | |||||
| Isolicoflavonol | 5318585 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O)C | 354.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Pyranoflavonoids | |||||
| (2S)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-8,8-dimethyl-2,3-dihydropyrano[2,3-h]chromen-4-one | 5318263 | Click to see | 352.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
| 5-Hydroxy-4'-methoxy-6'',6''-dimethylpyrano[2'',3'':7,8]flavanone | 42607962 | Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=C(C3=C2OC(CC3=O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)OC)O)C | 352.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00378-3 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |