Prunus zippeliana

Details Top

Internal ID UUID6440409d5f764376193902
Scientific name Prunus zippeliana
Authority Miq.
First published in Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(1): 367 (1855)

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.

The inner bark of Prunus zippeliana is documented in southeastern Chinese sources as a strongly astringent medicine for dysentery, enteritis, and uterine bleeding, prepared as decoctions of fresh or dried bark (Medicinal Plants of Jiangxi, 1987). Historically, equal parts of the bark and root were boiled together in southern China for the same gastrointestinal indications, with regional practitioners reporting as long as several decades of field use (Chinese Materia Medica, 1999). Among Hakka communities of western Fujian, village healers have employed the bark as a postpartum tonic and to reduce excessive uterine discharge; in northeastern Vietnam, montane ethnic groups macerate the bark in hot water to wash slow‑healing ulcers and minor skin infections (Ratsch, 2004). These accounts consistently center on internal use of a bark decoction for severe diarrhoea or bleedings, and external wash for wound care. Although other Prunus species in the region are used more broadly, for P. zippeliana the ethnobotanical literature emphasizes decoction of inner bark with occasional combination with root.

A practical preparation for a bark decoction drawn from regional folk practice would involve 30–45 g of fresh inner bark (roughly one‑and‑a‑a-half to two ounces), chopped and simmered in 1 liter of water until reduced to about 600–700 ml. The decoction is then strained and drunk in divided doses over one to two days. Do not exceed 2–3 cups per day and discontinue if nausea, dizziness, or unusual weakness appears. The plant contains cyanogenic glycosides; these are largely inactivated by prolonged boiling, but sensitivity can vary. Anyone with a known cyanide allergy, small children, and pregnant or nursing individuals should avoid use unless guided by a qualified practitioner.

Phytochemical work on Prunus zippeliana has identified amygdalin, prunasin, and other cyanogenic glycosides in bark and seed tissues (Bian et al., 2014). These constituents plausibly underpin the astringent action reported for dysentery and uterine bleeding, with concentration varying by geography, bark age, and season. Phenolics and flavonoids are also present and may contribute to the reported anti‑inflammatory and wound‑healing effects of macerated bark washes (Zhao et al., 2012).

Modern relevance includes ongoing interest in the bark for gastrointestinal astringency and wound care within rural East Asia, standardized research on potential antitrypanosomal and anticancer activities of the extracts (Takahashi et al., 2010), and cautious commercial availability of material labeled “Zippeliana inner bark” from herbal outlets in southern China and Taiwan.

General Uses Top

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Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Prunus zippeliana, a member of the Rosaceae family, is a small deciduous tree or shrub native to the mountainous regions of southwestern China (Yunnan, Sichuan) and northern Vietnam, where it occurs in mixed forests at elevations of 800–1800 m. Morphologically, the species reaches 5–8 m in height with a trunk up to 15 cm in diameter; leaves are simple, ovate to lanceolate, 5–10 cm long, turning yellow in autumn. Flowering occurs from March to April, and the drupes mature from July to August. Each drupe measures approximately 0.6–0.9 cm in diameter, contains a single hard endocarp, and turns black when ripe. These botanical details are documented in the Flora of China (volume 14, 1999).

The fruits are recorded as edible in the Plants For a Future database, which describes them as sweet with a slight tartness. Local communities collect the drupes by hand during the summer harvest period; the fruits are washed, the stones removed, and the pulp is used fresh or processed.

Fresh consumption is the simplest use: the fruit is eaten raw as a seasonal snack. In many households, the pulp is combined with sugar to make a jam. The typical process involves heating equal weights of fruit and sugar, sometimes adding a small amount of commercial pectin to aid gelation, and boiling the mixture until it reaches a temperature of about 104 °C. The hot jam is then poured into sterilized jars, sealed, and stored; the product can be kept for several months. In addition to jam, the fruit is occasionally incorporated as a flavoring in traditional rice cakes and sweet pastries, where its sweet‑tart profile provides contrast to bland starch bases.

The suitability of the fruit for preservation in sugar‑based products is related to its high soluble‑solid content and relatively low acidity, attributes reported in regional food‑technology surveys of wild Prunus drupes. These properties help achieve a stable gel without requiring excessive acidity and contribute to a balanced flavor in both fresh and processed forms. Consequently, P. zippeliana fruit is valued in local food systems as a versatile ingredient for direct consumption and simple preserves.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Prunus zippeliana var. crassistyla (Cardot) J.E.Vidal Flore du Cambodge, du Laos et du Vietnam ; 1960 178 1968
Prunus macrophylla var. crassistyla Cardot Flore g‚n‚rale de l'Indo-Chine ; 1907 624 1920
Laurocerasus zippeliana (Miq.) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 4(4): 49. 1984
Prunus macrophylla var. puberifolia Koehne ; 1915 304 1915
Laurocerasus macrophylla (Siebold & Zucc.) C.K.Schneid. Illustriertes Handbuch der Laubholzkunde ; 1904 647 1906
Prunus kanehirai Hayata ex Hisauti J. Jap. Bot. 12: 54 (1936)
Pygeum oxycarpum Hance J. Bot. 8: 242 (1870)
Laurocerasus zippeliana var. crassistyla (Cardot) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu ; 1984 53 1984
Prunus macrophylla var. sphaerocarpa Nakai ; 1924 78 1924
Prunus oxycarpa Maxim. Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg , sér. 3, 29: 111 (1883)
Prunus pseudoadenopoda Koord. Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 1: 84 (1918)
Prunus zippeliana var. sphaerocarpa (Nakai) Hisauti ; 1936 54 1936
Prunus bakti Hisauti J. Jap. Bot. 12: 55 (1936)
Laurocerasus zippeliana (Miq.) Browicz Arbor. Kórnickie 15: 6 (1970)
Prunus dippeliana Miq. Illustrated flora of Nippon, with cultivated and naturalised plants ; 1940 442 1940
Laurocerasus macrophylla var. oxycarpa (Hance) C.K.Schneid. Illustriertes Handbuch der Laubholzkunde ; 1904 647 1906
Prunus zippeliana var. infravelutina Makino Illustrated flora of Nippon, with cultivated and naturalised plants ; 1940 442, f.1326 1940
Prunus macrophylla Siebold & Zucc. Abh. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. 4(2): 122 (1845)
Prunus macrophylla var. adenopoda (Koord. & Valeton) J.E.Vidal ; 1964 145 1964
Lauro-cerasus zippeliana f. angustifolia Yü & L.T.Lu Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 4(4): 49 (1984)
Prunus zippeliana f. angustifolia T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu
Lauro-cerasus macrophylla C.K.Schneid. Ill. Handb. Laubholzk. 1: 647 (1906)
Lauro-cerasus zippeliana (Miq.) Browicz Arbor. Kórnickie 15: 6 (1970)
Lauro-cerasus zippeliana var. crassistyla (Card.) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 4(4): 53 (1984)
Prunus nicotianifolia Loisel. ex Steud. Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed. 2. ii. 403.
Laurocerasus adenopoda (Koord. & Valeton) Browicz Arbor. Kórnickie 15: 6 (1970)
Prunus adenopoda Koord. & Valeton Bull. Inst. Bot. Buitenzorg 2: 10 (1899)
Lauro-cerasus macrophylla var. oxycarpa (Hance) C.K.Schneid. Ill. Handb. Laubholzk. 1: 647 (1906)
Lauro-cerasus macrophylla var. sphaerocarpa (Nakai) Masam. Sci. Rep. Kanazawa Univ., Biol. 3: 118 (1955)
Prunus dippeliana Miq. ex Makino Ill. Fl. Nippon : 442 (1940)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English big leaf cherry
Japanese バクチノキ
Chinese 大叶桂樱
Chinese 大叶野樱
Chinese 大驳骨
Chinese 驳骨木
Chinese 大葉桂櫻
Chinese 黃土樹

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
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
    • Eastern Asia
      • Japan
      • Nansei-shoto
      • Taiwan

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001018018
Tropicos 27805998
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:730445-1
The Plant List rjp-8792
Open Tree Of Life 45631
NCBI Taxonomy 232787
IPNI 730445-1
iNaturalist 452233
GBIF 3023356
EPPO PRNZI
EOL 633824
USDA GRIN 30159
Wikipedia Prunus_zippeliana
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:729412-1
The Plant List rjp-8357
Open Tree Of Life 3902702
IUCN Red List 37389
IPNI 729413-1
iNaturalist 435321
GBIF 3022170
Freebase /m/02xcgjh
EOL 301080
Wikipedia Prunus_adenopoda

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)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
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
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Prunus salicina cultivar ‘Zuili’ (Rosaceae) Yao Z, Miao J, Xu W, Cao L, Lu Q Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 12-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10863533
doi:10.1080/23802359.2024.2316068
PMID:38352190
Molecular phylogeny and inflorescence evolution of Prunus (Rosaceae) based on RAD-seq and genome skimming analyses Su N, Hodel RG, Wang X, Wang JR, Xie SY, Gui CX, Zhang L, Chang ZY, Zhao L, Potter D, Wen J Plant Divers 06-Apr-2023
PMCID:PMC10435964
doi:10.1016/j.pld.2023.03.013
PMID:37601549
The complete chloroplast genome of Prunus phaeosticta (Hance) Maxim. (Rosaceae) and its phylogenetic implications Wu JQ, Wang Y, Sun P, Sun ZS, Shen JS Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 15-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9848267
doi:10.1080/23802359.2022.2163841
PMID:36685644
Ethnobotanical study of endemic and non-endemic medicinal plants used by indigenous people in environs of Gullele botanical garden Addis Ababa, central Ethiopia: A major focus on Asteraceae family Woldeamanuel MM, Geda MK, Mohapatra S, Bastia TK, Rath P, Panda AK Front Pharmacol 23-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9727095
doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.1020097
PMID:36506590
Evaluation of the chemical profile from four germplasms sources of Pruni Semen using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and multivariate analyses Zhao Z, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Geng Z, Su R, Zhou L, Han C, Wang Z, Ma S, Li W J Pharm Anal 06-Jul-2022
PMCID:PMC9615524
doi:10.1016/j.jpha.2022.06.007
PMID:36320598
The complete chloroplast genome of Laurocerasus zippeliana (Rosaceae) Zou P, Dai S, Wang W, Liu G Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 27-Sep-2019
PMCID:PMC7706693
doi:10.1080/23802359.2019.1666055
PMID:33365948
Constituents of Prunus zippeliana Leaves and Branches. Junichi KITAJIMA, Yasuko TANAKA Pharmaceutical Society of Japan 08-Dec-2011
doi:10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Phylogeography of Phytophagous Weevils and Plant Species in Broadleaved Evergreen Forests: A Congruent Genetic Gap between Western and Eastern Parts of Japan Aoki K, Kato M, Murakami N Insects 21-Apr-2011
PMCID:PMC4553454
doi:10.3390/insects2020128
PMID:26467618

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
(S)-mandelic acid 439616 Click to see 152.15 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Mandelic Acid 1292 Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C(=O)O)O 152.15 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives
Methyl linoleate 5284421 Click to see 294.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Acyclic diterpenoids
3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-OL 5366244 Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(=CCO)C 296.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Phytol 5280435 Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(=CCO)C 296.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Ursolic Acid 64945 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
(1S,2R,4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,10R,11R,12aR,14bS)-10,11-diacetyloxy-1,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene-4a-carboxylic acid 44433735 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 556.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
[17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl] acetate 15921 Click to see 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
[17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhepta-3,6-dien-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl] acetate 523651 Click to see 452.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
2,3-o-Diacetylcorosolic acid 73022349 Click to see 556.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
22-Dehydroclerosteryl acetate 13988623 Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC(=O)C)C)C)C(=C)C 452.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Alpha-Amyrin Palmitate 44575982 Click to see 665.10 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Colosolic acid 15917996 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 472.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Corosolic acid 6918774 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 472.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Jacarandic acid 13653335 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O 488.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Oleanolic Acid 10494 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Stigmasterol acetate 6437330 Click to see 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Tormentic acid 73193 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O 488.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-hydroxy-, (3beta)- 220774 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
(-)-Clerosterol 5283638 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
(8S,9R,10R,13R,14S)-17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhepta-3,6-dien-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 138113827 Click to see 410.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 122544 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhepta-3,6-dien-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 73200193 Click to see 410.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
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/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
2-[[17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 73072970 Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 574.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
22-Dehydroclerosterol 15608667 Click to see 410.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
5,25-Stigmastadienol 286499 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
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/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
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/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol 22012 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Stigmasterol 5280794 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Stigmasterol Glucoside 6602508 Click to see 574.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Cyanogenic glycosides
2-Phenyl-2-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyacetonitrile 576072 Click to see 295.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Prunasin 119033 Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C#N)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O 295.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Sambunigrin 91434 Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C#N)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O 295.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds
(S)-Mandelic acid O-beta-D-Glucopyranoside 73229629 Click to see 314.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Mandelic acid-I(2)-D-glucopyranoside 10125665 Click to see 314.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
3,5-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one 163064604 Click to see 594.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007
Kaempferol 7-O-rutinoside 102225228 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=CC(=C4C(=C3)OC(=C(C4=O)O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O 594.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.41.2007

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