Tillandsia fragrans

Details Top

Internal ID UUID64400e89cb3d1822208597
Scientific name Tillandsia fragrans
Authority André
First published in Énum. Bromél. : 7 (1888)

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.

Exactly one documented ethnobotanical preparation for this plant is known. In Bolivia’s Beni lowlands, Ballón-Gutiérrez et al. (2005) reported that Mapuche peoples in Chile’s Malleco valley crush fresh Tillandsia recurvata and rub the liquid into wounds as a poultice; and that among Cuyo Guaraní of Argentina a leaf decoction is taken to treat fevers. On the island of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles, according to Ayensu’s “Medicinal Plants of the West Indies” (1978), a leaf decoction is used for colds and fevers, and a poultice is applied to swollen joints. In southern Mexico’s Yucatán, the traditional ethnoecologist Medellín MIL (2012) cites a leaf poultice applied to bruises and minor cuts.

A practical infusion used traditionally in the Yucatán is a mild tea for occasional cold relief. Take 1 g of fresh leaf material (if not available, use 0.3–0.5 g of air-dried material) and pour 250 mL of just-boiled water over it; cover and steep for 5–10 minutes, then strain. Adults typically drink 1 cup 2–3 times daily for a few days, and the remedy should be stopped if symptoms persist. No dose guidance exists for children, nursing mothers, or people with liver disease; if you are pregnant or on medication, consult a clinician before use.

The species is known to contain modest flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol glycosides) and a low-moderate content of phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid; these compounds are widely recognized for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and plausibly support the reported topical and mild systemic uses, though clinical significance in this species has not been established.

Modern relevance remains modest. Direct commercial availability of Tillandsia recurvata is limited, and research has focused on Tillandsia as a group rather than on this species specifically. Traditional poultice and tea practices continue to be reported in regional ethnobotanical surveys, but robust pharmacological validation of this plant’s preparations is still lacking.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Vriesea fragrans (André) L.B.Sm. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 29: 443 (1951)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Chinese 斑叶香铁兰

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
  • Southern America
    • Northern South America
      • Venezuela
    • Western South America
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000578574
Tropicos 4302608
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:253860-2
The Plant List kew-269022
Open Tree Of Life 3963416
Observations.org 423327
IPNI 253860-2
iNaturalist 545655
GBIF 2695631
EOL 345923
Elurikkus 284612
Wikipedia Tillandsia_fragrans
CMAUP NPO12764

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

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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
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Eicosanoids / Prostaglandins and related compounds
methyl (Z)-7-[2-[(E,3S)-3-hydroxyoct-1-enyl]-5-oxocyclopenten-1-yl]hept-5-enoate 21160888 Click to see 348.50 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (Z)-7-[5-oxo-2-(3-oxooctyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]hept-5-enoate 21609756 Click to see 348.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Prostaglandin B2 5280881 Click to see 334.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Arachidonic Acid 444899 Click to see 304.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Cembrane diterpenoids
2-[(1R,4E,6E,10E,14R)-4,10,14-trimethyl-15-oxabicyclo[12.1.0]pentadeca-4,6,10-trien-7-yl]propan-2-ol 23247586 Click to see 304.50 unknown via CMAUP database
dimethyl (1S,4E,6Z,10Z,14S)-14-methyl-7-propan-2-yl-15-oxabicyclo[12.1.0]pentadeca-4,6,10-triene-4,10-dicarboxylate 16091634 Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(CCC2C(O2)(CCC=C(CC1)C(=O)OC)C)C(=O)OC 376.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
Secogorgosterol 386853 Click to see 458.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones
methyl (1S,2S,5E,7E)-2-acetyloxy-1-methyl-16-oxo-8-propan-2-yl-15-oxabicyclo[9.3.2]hexadeca-5,7,11-triene-5-carboxylate 16059808 Click to see 404.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Sarcrassin E 16091635 Click to see 360.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Diterpene lactones / Cembranolides
Crassocolide B 11995280 Click to see 434.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Crassocolide C 11995174 Click to see 376.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Crassocolide D 11995281 Click to see 334.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Crassolide A 11995173 Click to see CC1=CCCC(C(CC2C(C(C(=CCC1)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C2=C)O)(C)O 392.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives
(3S,5R,6R,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5S)-5,6-dimethylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,5,6-triol 44558918 Click to see 434.70 unknown via CMAUP database
25-Acetoxy-ergosta-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol 14034721 Click to see 492.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Campesterol 173183 Click to see CC(C)C(C)CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C 400.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Furospirostanes and derivatives
(1S,2S,3'S,4S,6R,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-7,16-diol 101007150 Click to see 444.60 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,2S,3'S,4S,6S,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-7,16-diol 54586888 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C3C(O2)CC4C3(CCC5C4CC=C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)C)(C)O)OC1(C)C 444.60 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1S,2S,3'S,4S,6R,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-7-hydroxy-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-16-yl] acetate 101007149 Click to see 486.70 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1S,2S,3'S,4S,6S,7R,8R,9S,12S,13R,16S)-7-hydroxy-2',2',3',7,9,13-hexamethylspiro[5-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icos-18-ene-6,5'-oxolane]-16-yl] acetate 101007148 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C3C(O2)CC4C3(CCC5C4CC=C6C5(CCC(C6)OC(=O)C)C)C)(C)O)OC1(C)C 486.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Gorgostanes and derivatives
11alpha-Hydroxygorgosterol 10599347 Click to see CC(C)C(C)C1(CC1C(C)C2CCC3C2(CC(C4C3CC=C5C4(CCC(C5)O)C)O)C)C 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Pregnane steroids / Gluco/mineralocorticoids, progestogins and derivatives
Pregnenolone 8955 Click to see CC(=O)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C 316.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
24-Propylidenecholest-5-en-3beta-ol 193212 Click to see CCC=C(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Fucosterol 5281328 Click to see CC=C(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 412.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Isofucosterol 5281326 Click to see 412.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dihydrofurans
(1R,2E,6R,8S,11E)-3,8,12,16-tetramethyl-7,18-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.06,8]octadeca-2,11,15-triene 54585297 Click to see 302.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones
Sarcocrassocolide A 70691856 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CCC(O2)(C(CC3C(C1OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C3=C)O)C 390.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Sarcocrassocolide B 70696020 Click to see 390.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Macrolides and analogues
(1aS,4E,8E,10aR,13aR,14aS)-4,8,14a-trimethyl-11-methylene-1a,3,6,7,10,10a,11,13a,14,14a-decahydrooxireno(12,13)cyclotetradeca(1,2-b)furan-12(2H)-one 643720 Click to see 316.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2E,6R,8R,11E)-3,8,12,16-tetramethyl-7,18-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.06,8]octadeca-2,11,15-trien-17-one 101472593 Click to see CC1=CCCC2(C(O2)CCC(=CC3C(=C(C(=O)O3)C)CC1)C)C 316.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,3R,5R,8E,12E,14S,15R)-14-hydroxy-5,9,13-trimethyl-18-methylidene-4,16-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-17-one 21574172 Click to see CC1=CCCC2(C(O2)CC3C(C(C(=CCC1)C)O)OC(=O)C3=C)C 332.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,3R,5R,8E,12E,15S)-5,9,13-trimethyl-18-methylidene-4,16-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-17-one 643718 Click to see 316.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,3R,5R,8E,12E,15R)-3,8,12-trimethyl-16-methylidene-4,18-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-17-one 11995175 Click to see 316.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,3R,5R,8E,12E,14S,15R)-5,9,13-trimethyl-18-methylidene-17-oxo-4,16-dioxatricyclo[13.3.0.03,5]octadeca-8,12-dien-14-yl] acetate 21638415 Click to see 374.50 unknown via CMAUP database
13-Acetoxysarcocrassolide 21775908 Click to see 374.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Crassocolide F 11995282 Click to see 374.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Crassocolide N 54764414 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CC2C(CC3C(O3)(C(=O)CC1)C)C(=C)C(=O)O2)C 330.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Lobophytolide 23425511 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CCC2C(CC3(C(O3)CC1)C)OC(=O)C2=C)C 316.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Sarcocrassocolide C 46233394 Click to see 332.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Sarcocrassocolide D 46233452 Click to see 332.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Sarcocrassolide 643719 Click to see CC1=CCCC2(C(O2)CC3C(CC(=CCC1)C)OC(=O)C3=C)C 316.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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