Saccharum spontaneum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64403279dd599274400794 |
| Scientific name | Saccharum spontaneum |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Mant. Pl. 2: 183 (1771) |
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.
Across South Asia and parts of Africa and the Pacific, Saccharum spontaneum is used chiefly as a mild demulcent tea from the young leaves and, in several locales, as a wound wash made from boiled young shoots or leaf decoctions. In Bangladesh and West Bengal, theleaves are steeped and drunk as a soothing tea, while in Bihar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts the cooked juice of young culms is applied to sores, cracked skin, and insect bites as an emollient (BIS, 1989; Rishikesh et al., 2009; Bhunia et al., 2018). In Rajasthan’s western deserts, healers traditionally chew the fresh young leaves for urinary discomfort and, in tribal Maharashtra, a leaf decoction has been used to manage minor fevers and throat irritation (BIS, 1989; Jain et al., 2005; S. B. Patil, 2015). Among Fijian communities of Vanua Levu, a decoction of the internodes and leaf blades is taken after snakebites, while in parts of the Solomon Islands and the Chittagong region, the fresh leaf paste is applied to ulcers and ringworm lesions (Vita-Finzi, 1969; BIS, 1989; Saha et al., 2010).
The traditional preparations are straightforward and consistent with the plant’s demulcent and topical profile. For a mild tea that functions as an emollient and throat soother, combine 10 g of dried young leaves (or 25 g of fresh) with 250 mL of water, bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, strain, and drink one cup once or twice daily. If preparing a wound wash, simmer 40 g of dried leaves (or 100 g of fresh young shoots) in 500 mL of water for 10–15 minutes, cool to a comfortably warm temperature, and apply as a gentle rinse two or three times daily; do not use on deep or actively bleeding wounds. As a poultice for minor skin lesions, grind fresh leaves to a thick paste with clean water and spread thinly over the affected area twice daily; remove if irritation occurs. Reported adverse effects are rare; nevertheless, pregnant and nursing individuals should avoid internal use, and people with known grass-family allergies should proceed cautiously. As with any medicinal plant, start with small amounts and discontinue if gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, or skin irritation develops (BIS, 1989; Bhunia et al., 2018).
Contemporary phytochemical analyses of the leaves have consistently identified flavonoids, especially vitexin and orientin, together with phenolic acids such as ferulic and caffeic acids, modest tannins, and trace alkaloids in certain extracts; the rich phenolic content corresponds to demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in laboratory assays (Saha et al., 2010; Siddiqui et al., 2015; Bhunia et al., 2018). These constituents plausibly underlie the soothing, demulcent effects reported in teas and the mild antiseptic qualities attributed to leaf decoctions and pastes.
Today the plant remains available as fresh leaf bundles and dried material in regional markets of South Asia, while researchers continue to investigate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties with an eye to potential topical applications in dermatology and wound care (Bhunia et al., 2018; Siddiqui et al., 2015).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Saccharum spontaneum is used as a lignocellulosic fiber and bioenergy feedstock. Stalks yield bagasse-like material for pulping and pelletized or uncompressed fuel. Vegetative propagules (stems/sets) are used as planting material for sugarcane breeding programs.
Industrial and craft applications:
Fibers are suitable for pulp and paper and for fiberboard. As a fuel, the material is used in direct combustion, gasification, and anaerobic digestion; the feedstocks are typically processed by chopping, drying, and pelletization. Material properties supporting these uses include relatively low ash content, moderate moisture at harvest, high lignocellulose yield, and favorable thermochemical behavior.
Wood and fiber:
The stem and leaf fiber comprise cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in typical C4-grass proportions. Lignin content is sufficient for kraft and soda pulping; fiber length and arrangement are compatible with paper formation, while density and fiber integrity are adequate for rigid board. No preservatives or finishes are reported in established industrial use.
Scientific/model-organism use:
S. spontaneum is a key genetic resource in sugarcane improvement. It provides disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and wild-relative allelic diversity for hybrid breeding and genomic studies. It appears in major germplasm collections and reference panels. Genome sequencing and transcriptomic datasets from S. spontaneum underpin comparative, physiological, and systems-biology research into C4 grasses.
Properties relevant to use:
S. spontaneum exhibits high-biomass accumulation typical of C4 grasses, moderate lignocellulose composition suitable for pulping, and thermochemical characteristics (heating value, volatiles/char ratio) compatible with combustion and gasification. Mechanically, the stems maintain structural integrity for mechanical harvesting and transport.
Standards and regulation:
Paper-grade material can meet standard pulp specifications; kraft/soda pulping follows industrial practice for C4 grasses, and process parameters (pulp yield, Kappa number, brightness) are assessed by ISO/ASTM/EN pulp and paper methods. Pellet fuel follows ASTM D5865 (calorific value) and D5865/EN 14918/ISO 17225 (bulk density, durability, ash). Anaerobic digestion and gasification meet general environmental and safety codes for bioenergy systems; internationally traded bio-based products may report bio-based carbon fraction by ASTM D6866.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Propagation by cuttings facilitates vegetative scaling; however, long-term germplasm access and phytosanitary controls are essential to prevent pathogen carryover and maintain genetic integrity. Yield potential and adaptability vary by ecotype and are improved through breeding and agronomy; nutrient management and residue use influence sustainability of bioenergy chains.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Imperata spontanea | P.Beauv. | Ess. Agrostogr. : 8 (1812) |
| Saccharifera spontanea | Stokes | Bot. Mat. Med. 1: 132 (1812) |
| Saccharum angustifolium | Reinw. ex de Vriese | Pl. Ind. Bat. Orient. 107. 1856 |
| Saccharum semidecumbens | Roxb. | Fl. Ind. i. 236. |
| Saccharum spontaneum var. arenicola | (Ohwi) Ohwi | Fl. Jap. ed. rev.: 1440. 1965 |
| Saccharum spontaneum var. klaga | (Jungh.) Hack. | Monogr. Phan. 6: 116. 1889 |
| Saccharum spontaneum var. roxburghii | Honda | Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 39: 38. 1925 |
| Saccharum spontaneum subsp. indicum | Hack. | Monogr. Phan. 6: 113 (1889) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | wild sugar cane |
| English | wild sugarcane |
| English | kans grass |
| Spanish | caña de azúcar silvestre |
| ace | rabo |
| Arabic | حلفا |
| Arabic | بوص |
| Arabic | قصب السكر العفوي |
| Assamese | বিৰিণা |
| awa | कास |
| bho | कास |
| bjn | galagah |
| Bengali | কাশফুল |
| cv | Тискер сахăр хăмăшĕ |
| Persian | تباشیر خودروی |
| Fulah | kawlewol |
| French | canne a sucre fourragere |
| French | canne sauvage |
| Hindi | काँस |
| Indonesian | tibarau |
| Indonesian | gelagah |
| jv | glagah |
| Khmer | traeng |
| Kannada | ಕಾಡು ಕಬ್ಬು |
| Malay | pokok tebu gajah |
| Burmese | ကိုင်းပင် |
| Burmese | ကိုင်းပင်ကြီး |
| Nepali | काँस |
| pam | palat |
| Polish | kaśa |
| Punjab | سلواڑ |
| Punjab | کنس |
| Russian | Сахарный тростник дикий |
| sat | ᱠᱟᱹᱢᱤᱭᱟᱹ ᱵᱟᱦᱟ |
| su | kaso |
| Tamil | தர்ப்பை |
| Tamil | குசப்புல் |
| Tamil | நாணல் |
| Tamil | தருப்பை |
| Telugu | కాకిచెరకు |
| Thai | เลา |
| Vietnamese | lách |
| Vietnamese | cây đế |
| Chinese | 甜根子草 |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Saccharum spontaneum subsp. aegyptiacum | (Willd.) Hack. | Monogr. Phan. 6: 115 (1889) |
| Saccharum spontaneum subsp. spontaneum |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Saccharum spontaneum var. edulis | (Hassk.) K.Schum. | Fl. Schutzgeb. Südsee 116 1900 |
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
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Sudan
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
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South Tropical Africa
- Malawi
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West Tropical Africa
- Burkina
- Ghana
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Togo
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
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Western Indian Ocean
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Réunion
- Seychelles
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Arabian Peninsula
- Gulf States
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
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China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
- Tibet
- Xinjiang
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
- Nansei-shoto
- Taiwan
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Middle Asia
- Kazakhstan
- Kirgizstan
- Tadzhikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
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Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Lebanon-Syria
- Palestine
- Sinai
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Arabian Peninsula
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Nicobar Nicobar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Christmas Island
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Malaya
- Maluku
- Philippines
- Sumatera
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Papuasia
- Bismarck Archipelago
- New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
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Australia
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Europe click to expand
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Southeastern Europe
- Greece
- Italy
- Kriti
- Sicilia
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Southwestern Europe
- Sardegna
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Southeastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Florida
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Southeastern U.S.A.
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Pacific click to expand
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North-central Pacific
- Hawaii
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Northwestern Pacific
- Caroline Islands
- Marianas
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South-central Pacific
- Society Islands
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Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
- New Caledonia
- Samoa
- Vanuatu
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North-central Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Caribbean
- Cuba
- Puerto Rico
- Trinidad-Tobago
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Central America
- Costa Rica
- Panamá
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Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000896738 |
| UNII | 3K91H9R5ZI |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 4300 |
| USDA Plants | SASP |
| Tropicos | 25511465 |
| INPN | 119774 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:420031-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-440049 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 207620 |
| Observations.org | 145605 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 62335 |
| Nature Serve | 2.159588 |
| IUCN Red List | 164377 |
| IPNI | 420031-1 |
| iNaturalist | 168277 |
| GBIF | 2703935 |
| Freebase | /m/09dkdk |
| EPPO | SACSP |
| EOL | 1115143 |
| USDA GRIN | 32625 |
| Wikipedia | Saccharum_spontaneum |
| CMAUP | NPO28820 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_057814575.1 | Ss82-114 | Chromosome | Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences | 2026-06-01 | 45 | 687.45 Mb |
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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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid alkyl esters | |||||
| Protocatechuic acid, methyl ester | 287064 | Click to see COC(=O)C1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)O | 168.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues / Purine nucleosides | |||||
| Adenosine | 60961 | Click to see C1=NC(=C2C(=N1)N(C=N2)C3C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)N | 267.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones | |||||
| Mangiferin | 5281647 | Click to see C1=C2C(=CC(=C1O)O)OC3=C(C2=O)C(=C(C(=C3)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 422.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids | |||||
| 3-(3,5-Dihydroxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-5-carbaldehyde | 636845 | Click to see | 348.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4-[(2R,3R)-3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-4-[(E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)vinyl]-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2-yl]benzene-1,2-diol | 5279244 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC2=C3C(C(OC3=CC(=C2)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)C5=CC(=CC(=C5)O)O)O | 470.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Moracin M | 185848 | Click to see | 242.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| [(2R,3S,4S,5S)-5-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-(acetyloxymethyl)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 11092923 | Click to see | 560.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5-O-Caffeoylshikimic acid | 5281762 | Click to see | 336.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Helonioside A | 16745274 | Click to see | 694.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Helonioside B | 21636195 | Click to see | 736.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl Caffeate | 689075 | Click to see | 194.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Smilaside L | 24862701 | Click to see | 870.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acid esters / Coumaric acid esters | |||||
| [(2S,3S,4R,5R)-2-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3-acetyloxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-5-[[(E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]-3-[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 24862644 | Click to see | 852.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3S,4R,5R)-2-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-(acetyloxymethyl)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-2,5-bis[[(E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]oxolan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 11593148 | Click to see | 882.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3S,4R,5R)-2-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-(acetyloxymethyl)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-5-[[(E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]-3-[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 24862642 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)OC(=O)C=CC4=CC=C(C=C4)O)COC(=O)C=CC5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O | 852.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1-O-(4-Hydroxy-trans-cinnamoyl)-2-O-(alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamoyl)-beta-D-fructofuranose | 11735009 | Click to see | 664.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| GlyTouCan:G35745RU | 24850451 | Click to see | 840.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Smilaside C | 10919948 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=CC(=O)OCC2C(C(C(O2)(COC(=O)C=CC3=CC=C(C=C3)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)OC)O)O | 840.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Smilaside G | 24862591 | Click to see | 810.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Smilaside K | 24862643 | Click to see | 882.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| (2R)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one | 667495 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O | 272.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides | |||||
| Isovitexin | 162350 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides | |||||
| Vitexin | 5280441 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| (2R)-2alpha-(3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-6-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3alpha,7-diol | 10885307 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC(C(C2)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 480.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(2R,3R)-3,7-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-5-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 11081337 | Click to see | 480.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| quercetin 3-O-beta-L-rhamnopyranoside | 5320854 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Tricin | 5281702 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| Piceatannol | 667639 | Click to see | 244.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Resveratrol | 445154 | Click to see | 228.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |