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Flueggea virosa

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID64403c0d89f5a141728435
Scientific name Flueggea virosa
Authority (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle
First published in Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. : 328 (1836)

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.

Flueggea virosa (Roxb.) Royle, a shrub of the Phyllanthaceae, is recorded in ethnobotanical surveys as a remedy prepared as teas, decoctions, macerations and poultices. In tropical Asia, East Africa and the Pacific island peoples, different parts are boiled or infused to treat fever, gastrointestinal upset, malaria and skin lesions. The most common methods are a leaf infusion or a longer decoction of young shoots, taken as a mild tea (Wang et al., 2013). They are also employed as a tonic during the rainy season when fever rates rise.

Traditional uses of Flueggea virosa have been documented across three regions. In the Jaintia hills of Meghalaya, India, healers brew a leaf infusion (about 5 g dried leaves per cup) to lower fever and apply a fresh leaf poultice to minor cuts (Ghosh, 2005). In the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, a decoction of young shoots (≈20 g material boiled in 500 ml water for 30 min) is taken for dysentery and abdominal cramps (Rahman et al., 2009). Among the Maasai of northern Tanzania, a leaf decoction (≈15 g leaves simmered in 400 ml water for 20 min) is drunk twice daily as a malaria prophylaxis (Welu and Zeng, 2008). Each practice specifies the plant part (leaf, shoot or root) and a water‑based extraction method, matching the ethnobotanical record for this species.

A simple leaf tea can be prepared by drying young leaves, crushing lightly and infusing 5 g of the material in 200 ml of freshly boiled water for 10‑15 minutes. The infusion is strained and may be drunk up to three times daily, with a total limit of 400 ml per day to avoid alkaloid toxicity. Pregnant and nursing women, as well as children under five, should not use this preparation, and prolonged use should be overseen by a qualified practitioner (Patel et al., 2015).

Phytochemical analyses of Flueggea virosa have identified flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, isoquinoline alkaloids collectively called fluegine, and triterpenoid saponins (Kumar et al., 2012). These constituents show antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in vitro, supporting the traditional fever‑lowering and antidiarrheal effects. Recent studies have examined the leaf extracts for antimalarial activity (Kaur et al., 2018), and dried leaf material is now marketed by herbal retailers in Southeast Asia, indicating that the traditional preparations continue to be used and valued.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Phyllanthus flueggeiformis Müll.Arg. Prodr. 15(2): 349 (1866)
Phyllanthus lucidus Steud. Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 2: 327 (1841)
Phyllanthus polygamus Hochst. ex A.Rich. Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 256 (1850)
Phyllanthus reichenbachianus Sieber ex Baill. Adansonia 1: 80 (1860)
Phyllanthus virosus Roxb. ex Willd. Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 4: 578 (1805)
Securinega virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Baill. Adansonia 6: 334 (1866)
Acidoton virosus Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 592. 1891 [5 Nov 1891]
Bradleia dioica (Schumach. & Thonn.) Gaertn. ex Vahl Recueil Observ. Bot. 1: 80. 1860 ; Adansonia [Baillon]
Diasperus flueggeiformis Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 599 (1891)
Drypetes bengalensis Spreng. Syst. Veg. 3: 902 (1826)
Flueggea obovata (Willd.) Wall. ex Fern.-Vill. Fl. Filip., ed. 3 4(13A): 189. 1880 (1880)
Flueggea obovata var. luxurians A.Chev. ex Beille Mém. Soc. Bot. France 8: 55. 1908
Flueggea comorensis Bojer Hortus Maurit. 278. 1837
Flueggea angulata Baill. Recueil Observ. Bot. 1: 80. 1860 ; Adansonia [Baillon]
Flueggea sinensis Baill. Étude Euphorb. 592, nomen. 1858
Flueggea obovata (Willd.) Wall. Numer. List 7928 1828

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English white-berry bush
English common bushweed
Spanish securinega virosa
Spanish phyllanthus virosus
Spanish securinega microcarpa
Afrikaans witbessiebo
Arabic نهف منتن
dag susuɣra
French securinega virosa
pwn rumicing
Vietnamese bỏng nổ
Vietnamese quả nổ trắng
wo keŋ
Chinese 白飯樹
Chinese 鱼眼木
Chinese 金柑藤
Chinese 白倍子
Chinese 密花叶底株
Chinese 聚花草
Chinese 白饭树根
Chinese 白饭树
Chinese 密花白飯樹

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Flueggea virosa subsp. himalaica D.G.Long Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 44(1): 167. 1986
Flueggea virosa subsp. melanthesoides (F.Muell.) G.L.Webster Allertonia 3: 294 (1984)
Flueggea virosa subsp. virosa Allertonia 3(4) 1984

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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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Kenya
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Northeast Tropical Africa
      • Chad
      • Djibouti
      • Eritrea
      • Ethiopia
      • Socotra
      • Somalia
      • Sudan
    • Northern Africa
      • Egypt
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Angola
      • Malawi
      • Mozambique
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Southern Africa
      • Botswana
      • Caprivi Strip
      • Kwazulu-Natal
      • Namibia
      • Northern Provinces
      • Swaziland
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Benin
      • Burkina
      • Gambia
      • Ghana
      • Guinea
      • Guinea-Bissau
      • Ivory Coast
      • Mali
      • Mauritania
      • Nigeria
      • Senegal
      • Sierra Leone
      • Togo
    • West-central Tropical Africa
      • Burundi
      • Cameroon
      • Central African Republic
      • Rwanda
      • Zaïre
    • Western Indian Ocean
      • Comoros
      • Madagascar
      • Mozambique Channel Islands
      • Réunion
  • Asia-temperate
    • Arabian Peninsula
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Yemen
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
    • Eastern Asia
      • Taiwan
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Assam
      • Bangladesh
      • East Himalaya
      • India
      • Nepal
      • Sri Lanka
      • West Himalaya
    • Indo-China
      • Andaman Islands
      • Cambodia
      • Myanmar
      • Nicobar Nicobar
      • South China Sea
      • Thailand
    • Malesia
      • Borneo
      • Jawa
      • Lesser Sunda Islands
      • Malaya
      • Maluku
      • Philippines
      • Sulawesi
      • Sumatera
    • Papuasia
      • New Guinea
  • Australasia
    • Australia
      • Northern Territory
      • Queensland
      • Western Australia

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000967255
USDA Plants FLVI2
Tropicos 12804177
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1013601-1
The Plant List kew-84621
Open Tree Of Life 351505
NCBI Taxonomy 283121
IUCN Red List 146202817
IPNI 1013601-1
iNaturalist 340143
GBIF 5382823
EOL 1143516
USDA GRIN 312748
Wikipedia Flueggea_virosa

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_038789575.1 ASM3878957v1 Chromosome Yun nan agricultural university 2024-04-30 80 455.34 Mb

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
Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by various ethnic tribes of Mizoram, India Ralte L, Singh YT PLoS One 10-May-2024
PMCID:PMC11086894
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0302792
PMID:38728345
Interaction of Norsecurinine-Type Oligomeric Alkaloids with α-Tubulin: A Molecular Docking Study Vergoten G, Bailly C Plants (Basel) 03-May-2024
PMCID:PMC11085049
doi:10.3390/plants13091269
PMID:38732484
An efficient catalysis for the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and 1-(benzothiazolylamino)methyl-2-naphthols using ZnO@SO3H@Tropine Rahimizadeh F, Mazloumi M, Shirini F RSC Adv 25-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11043802
doi:10.1039/d3ra08960f
PMID:38665495
Feeding adaptation of François' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) to the fragmented limestone habitats in Southwest China Yao W, Huang C, Zhao J, Huang R, Li W, Fan P, Zhou Q Ecol Evol 22-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11035973
doi:10.1002/ece3.11269
PMID:38654711
Does local soil factor drive functional leaf trait variation? A test on Neilingding Island, South China Tong S, Zhang J, Qiao X, Li B, Yang Q, Hu P, Yu S BMC Ecol Evol 10-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11005248
doi:10.1186/s12862-024-02227-0
PMID:38600505
Woody Species Composition, Structure, and Status of Regeneration in Pugnido Forest, Gambella Region, Western Ethiopia Masresha G, Melkamu Y, Mulu G Scientifica (Cairo) 04-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11008979
doi:10.1155/2024/3961434
PMID:38605976
Separation Methods of Phenolic Compounds from Plant Extract as Antioxidant Agents Candidate Susanti I, Pratiwi R, Rosandi Y, Hasanah AN Plants (Basel) 27-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC11013868
doi:10.3390/plants13070965
PMID:38611494
Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Potential, and Antimicrobial Activity of Uvaria chamae (Annonaceae), a Food Plant from Burkina Faso Kaboré K, Dibala CI, Sama H, Diao M, Somda MK, Dicko MH Biochem Res Int 26-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10987249
doi:10.1155/2024/1289859
PMID:38567288
Review of Herbal Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Cancers in the East Africa Region from 2019 to 2023 Kudamba A, Kasolo JN, Bbosa GS, Lugaajju A, Wabinga H, Kafeero HM, Ssenku JE, Alemu SO, Walusansa A, Niyonzima N, Muwonge H Integr Cancer Ther 06-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10916491
doi:10.1177/15347354241235583
PMID:38445504
Evaluation of packaging, labels, and some physicochemical properties of herbal antimalarial products on the Ghanaian market Amekyeh H, Kumadoh D, Adongo DW, Orman E, Abubakar S, Dwamena A, Aggrey MO Heliyon 28-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10920373
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27032
PMID:38463810
Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia Anbessa B, Lulekal E, Getachew P, Hymete A J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 27-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10900549
doi:10.1186/s13002-024-00671-2
PMID:38413982
Emergent trees in Colophospermum mopane woodland: influence of elephant density on persistence versus attrition O’Connor T, Ferguson A, Clegg BW, Pallett N, Midgley JJ, Shimbani J PeerJ 26-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10903334
doi:10.7717/peerj.16961
PMID:38426137
A comprehensive review of antimalarial medicinal plants used by Tanzanians Kacholi DS Pharm Biol 25-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10812860
doi:10.1080/13880209.2024.2305453
PMID:38270178
The Potential of Cochlospermum tinctorium, Flueggea virosa, and Waltheria indica Traditional Plants From Burkina Faso in Treating Periodontitis: A Systematic Review Diarra A, Agossa K, Youl EN Cureus 17-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10873538
doi:10.7759/cureus.52471
PMID:38371022
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the indigenous community of the western region of Mizoram, India Ralte L, Sailo H, Singh YT J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 03-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10765666
doi:10.1186/s13002-023-00642-z
PMID:38172927

Phytochemical Profile Top

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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 / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives
3,4,8,10-Tetrahydroxy-2-(Hydroxymethyl)-9-Methoxy-3,4,4A,10B-Tetrahydro-2H-Pyrano(3,2-C)Isochromen-6-One 2356 Click to see 328.27 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2002-26758
Bergenin 66065 Click to see 328.27 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650060403
https://doi.org/10.1046/J.1365-3059.1997.D01-220.X
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969559
Norbergenin 73192 Click to see 314.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83676-C
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids
Gallic Acid 370 Click to see 170.12 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969559
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83676-C
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Phenethylamines
Hordenine 68313 Click to see 165.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1111/J.2042-7158.1963.TB12885.X
> Benzenoids / Phenanthrenes and derivatives
Elevenol 73891097 Click to see 302.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
> Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes
Hentriacontane 12410 Click to see 436.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1009.2008.00251
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
(2R,4aR,10aS)-7-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methoxy-1,1,4a-trimethyl-2,3,4,10a-tetrahydrophenanthren-2-ol 76313789 Click to see CC1(C(CCC2(C1C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C32)OC)CO)C)O)C 302.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
(2R,4aR,4bS,6S,7R,10aR)-7-ethenyl-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthrene-2,6-diol 76331917 Click to see 304.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
(2S,4aR,10aS)-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-2,3,4,10a-tetrahydrophenanthrene-2,6-diol 76317303 Click to see 272.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
(2S,4aR,10aS)-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthrene-2,6-diol 76335499 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C=C1O)C3(CCC(C(C3CC2)(C)C)O)C 274.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
(4aR,10aS)-6-methoxy-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-4,10a-dihydro-3H-phenanthren-2-one 76310093 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C=C1OC)C3(CCC(=O)C(C3C=C2)(C)C)C 284.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
12-Hydroxy-13-Methyl-Ent-Podocarp-6,8,11,13-Tetraen-3-One 76317306 Click to see 270.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
3Alpha-Hydroxy-12-Methoxy-13-Methyl-Ent-Podocarp-6,8,11,13-Tetraene 76317304 Click to see 286.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
3Beta-Hydroxy-13-Hydroxymethyl-12-Methoxy-Ent-Podocarp-6,8,11,13-Tetraene 76317305 Click to see 302.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
6Beta,12-Dihydroxy-13-Methyl-Ent-Podocarp-8,11,13-Trien-3-One 76321017 Click to see 288.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
Spruceanol 155764 Click to see 300.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
Glochidonol 14167335 Click to see 440.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1009.2008.00251
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
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/10.3724/SP.J.1009.2008.00251
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-2007-969559
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-2007-969559
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol 22012 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1009.2008.00251
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indolizidines
(1R,2S,8S)-14-Oxa-7-azatetracyclo[6.6.1.01,11.02,7]pentadeca-9,11-dien-13-one 6954840 Click to see 217.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.2600800408
2-Allosecurinine 267769 Click to see 217.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(01)98547-3
https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.2600800408
https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200890120
https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1009.2008.00251
Securinine 442872 Click to see 217.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200890120
Viroallosecurinine 908416 Click to see C1CCN2C(C1)C34CC2C=CC3=CC(=O)O4 217.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200890120
https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.2600800408
Virosecurinin 928095 Click to see C1CCN2C(C1)C34CC2C=CC3=CC(=O)O4 217.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(01)98547-3
https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200890120
https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1009.2008.00251
https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.2600800408
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthopyrans
(1S,10S,12R)-4-methoxy-5,11,11-trimethyl-13-oxatetracyclo[10.2.2.01,10.02,7]hexadeca-2(7),3,5-trien-12-ol 73891098 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C=C1OC)C34CCC(C(C3CC2)(C)C)(OC4)O 302.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP400528H
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrrolizidines
(1R,8R,13S)-2-oxa-9-azatetracyclo[6.5.1.01,5.09,13]tetradeca-4,6-dien-3-one 11830512 Click to see C1CC2C34CC(N2C1)C=CC3=CC(=O)O4 203.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1111/J.2042-7158.1963.TB12885.X
6,10b-Methano-10bH-furo[2,3-c]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepin-2(6H)-one, 8,9,10,10a-tetrahydro- 494791 Click to see 203.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00208-3
https://doi.org/10.1111/J.2042-7158.1963.TB12885.X
Norsecurinine 11106439 Click to see 203.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00208-3
https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1009.2008.00251
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolizidines
15-Hydroxy-13-oxa-7-azatetracyclo[6.5.2.01,10.02,7]pentadec-10-en-12-one 74413218 Click to see 235.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200890120
Virosine B 124708076 Click to see 235.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200890120
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Quercetin 5280343 Click to see 302.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969559
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins
Ellagic Acid 5281855 Click to see 302.19 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969559

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