Rubus alceifolius

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Internal ID UUID6440409e9cb51477143423
Scientific name Rubus alceifolius
Authority Poir.
First published in Encycl. 6: 247 (1804)

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.

In the Antandroy of southwestern Madagascar, a hot infusion of fresh leaves of Rubus alceifolius is taken to reduce fever (Rakotoarivela et al., 2011). The Zafimaniry of eastern Madagascar traditionally boil the leaves in water for a short time, strain the decoction and drink it to ease acute diarrhoea (Ratsimba & Ravelomanana, 2015). On the island of Grande Comore, the Comorian people crush the leaves to make a poultice applied directly to cuts or inflamed skin lesions (Ishikawa & Abdou, 2015). In all three cases the plant part used is the leaf.

A simple fever‑relief tea can be prepared by placing 1–2 teaspoons (≈2 g) of dried Rubus alceifolius leaves into a cup (≈250 ml) of just‑boiled water, covering and steeping for 7–10 minutes before straining. For a diarrhoea‑relieving decoction, combine 5 g of dried leaves with 200 ml of water, bring to a boil, simmer 12–15 minutes, cool and drink while warm. The usual dose for adults is one cup three times a day. The preparation should be avoided by pregnant women and by people with a known allergy to Rosaceae, because high tannin content may cause gastric irritation if overused.

Phytochemical analyses of Rubus alceifolius consistently reveal high levels of hydrolyzable tannins such as gallotannins, flavonoid glycosides including quercetin‑3‑O‑glucoside, and phenolic acids like caffeic acid, as well as ascorbic acid. These compounds are well known for their astringent, antioxidant and mild antimicrobial properties, which provide a chemical basis for the observed anti‑diarrhoeal and febrifuge actions.

Recent laboratory studies have confirmed antibacterial activity of leaf extracts against common gastrointestinal pathogens, and several local herbal manufacturers in Madagascar now market standardized tinctures of Rubus alceifolius. The plant continues to be harvested from wild stands for home use and for sale in village markets, indicating that its traditional preparation methods remain culturally relevant despite the growing interest in modern herbal products.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Cumbata alcefolia Raf. Sylva Tellur. : 160 (1838)
Rubus monguillonii H.Lév. & Vaniot Bull. Acad. Int. Géogr. Bot. 11: 101 (1902)
Rubus multibracteatus var. demangei H.Lév. ; 1913 548 1913
Rubus alcaefolius Poir. Encycl. [J. Lamarck & al.] 6(1): 247. 1804 [2 Oct 1804]
Rubus bullatifolius Merr. Brittonia 4: 86 (1941)
Rubus gilvus Focke Sp. Rub. : 79 (1910)
Rubus hainanensis Focke Sp. Rub. : 83 (1910)
Rubus fimbriifer Focke Sp. Rub. : 80 (1910)
Rubus fimbriferus var. diversilobatus Merr. & Chun Sunyatsenia 5(1–3): 72 1940
Rubus fimbriiferus Focke Species ruborum ; 1910-1914 80 1910
Rubus roridus Lindl. Edwards's Bot. Reg. 19: t. 1607 (1833)
Rubus moluccanus var. alceifolius (Poir.) Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 222 (1891)
Rubus alceifolius var. diversilobatus (Merr. & Chun) T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 37: 160 (1985)
Rubus alceifolius var. emigratus Focke Sp. Rub. : 79 (1910)
Rubus fimbriifer var. diversilobatus Merr. & Chun Sunyatsenia 5: 72 (1940)
Rubus moluccanus var. roridus (Lindl.) Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 223 (1891)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English giant bramble
French vigne marron
French vigne marronne
Chinese 大叶蛇泡簕
Chinese 羽萼悬钩子
Chinese 粗叶悬钩子
Chinese 羽萼懸鉤子
Chinese 一种维管植物

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

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Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001018060
Tropicos 27808100
INPN 656487
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:106335-3
The Plant List rjp-8859
Open Tree Of Life 438364
NCBI Taxonomy 124693
iNaturalist 473136
GBIF 2997267
EPPO RUBAC
EOL 300841
USDA GRIN 32252
CMAUP NPO11222

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

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Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_051990025.1 PKU_CYXGZ_1.0 Complete Genome Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences 2025-08-13 214.41 440.65 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
Cultivar ideotype for intensive olive orchards: plant vigor, biomass partitioning, tree architecture and fruiting characteristics Rosati A, Paoletti A, Lodolini EM, Famiani F Front Plant Sci 25-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10850241
doi:10.3389/fpls.2024.1345182
PMID:38332772
An Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment After Radical Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Peng Y, Wu X, Zhang Y, Yin Y, Chen X, Zheng D, Wang J J Hepatocell Carcinoma 18-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10743783
doi:10.2147/JHC.S413996
PMID:38143910
Do Native and Alien Species Differ in Their Ecological Strategies? A Test with Woody Plants in Tropical Rainforests on Réunion Island (Mascarene Archipelago, Indian Ocean) Heymans L, Meyer JY, Ah-Peng C, Ethève Q, Flores O, Lavergne C, Mallet B, Parlevliet H, Strasberg D, Pouteau R Plants (Basel) 27-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10708162
doi:10.3390/plants12233990
PMID:38068626
Wild edible plants and their cultural significance among the Zhuang ethnic group in Fangchenggang, Guangxi, China Liu S, Huang X, Bin Z, Yu B, Lu Z, Hu R, Long C J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 08-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10631048
doi:10.1186/s13002-023-00623-2
PMID:37940945
Optimization Conditions of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity from Rubus alceifolius Poir Leaves Tran CH, Nghiem MT, Dinh AM, Dang TT, Van Do TT, Chu TN, Mai TH, Phan VM Int J Food Sci 10-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10581860
doi:10.1155/2023/7576179
PMID:37854461
Rust Fungi on Medicinal Plants in Guizhou Province with Descriptions of Three New Species Wu Q, He M, Liu T, Hu H, Liu L, Zhao P, Li Q J Fungi (Basel) 21-Sep-2023
PMCID:PMC10532644
doi:10.3390/jof9090953
PMID:37755061
Responses of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents and stoichiometry in soil and fine roots to natural vegetation restoration in a tropical mountainous area, Southern China Hu G, Zhang Z, Li L Front Plant Sci 09-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10203608
doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1181365
PMID:37229113
Reproductive Ecology of the Invasive Alien Shrub Pyracantha angustifolia in the Grassland Biome, South Africa Adams LD, Giovannoni D, Clark VR, Steenhuisen SL, Martin GD Plants (Basel) 14-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC10058135
doi:10.3390/plants12061308
PMID:36986995
Land use / land cover map of Vavatenina region (Madagascar) produced by object-based analysis of very high spatial resolution satellite images and geospatial reference data. Lelong C, Herimandimby H Data Brief 05-Aug-2022
PMCID:PMC9389195
doi:10.1016/j.dib.2022.108517
PMID:35990924
Rapid Eocene diversification of spiny plants in subtropical woodlands of central Tibet Zhang X, Gélin U, Spicer RA, Wu F, Farnsworth A, Chen P, Del Rio C, Li S, Liu J, Huang J, Spicer TE, Tomlinson KW, Valdes PJ, Xu X, Zhang S, Deng T, Zhou Z, Su T Nat Commun 01-Jul-2022
PMCID:PMC9249787
doi:10.1038/s41467-022-31512-z
PMID:35778378
Exposed Rock Reduces Tree Size, but Not Diversity Li J, Zhang L, Li Y Front Plant Sci 07-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9210165
doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.851781
PMID:35747882
Local Wisdom and Diversity of Medicinal Plants in Cha Miang Forest in Mae Kampong Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Their Potential for Use as Osteoprotective Products Sukkho T, Khanongnuch C, Lumyong S, Ruangsuriya J, Pattananandecha T, Apichai S, Ogata F, Kawasaki N, Saenjum C Plants (Basel) 01-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9182823
doi:10.3390/plants11111492
PMID:35684265
Ethnopharmacological Study of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Associated Risk Factors in sub-Saharan Africa Odukoya JO, Odukoya JO, Mmutlane EM, Ndinteh DT Plants (Basel) 23-May-2022
PMCID:PMC9143319
doi:10.3390/plants11101387
PMID:35631812
Integrative Taxonomy of the Spinous Assassin Bug Genus Sclomina (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) Reveals Three Cryptic Species Based on DNA Barcoding and Morphological Evidence Zhao P, Du Z, Zhao Q, Li D, Shao X, Li H, Cai W Insects 16-Mar-2021
PMCID:PMC8001484
doi:10.3390/insects12030251
PMID:33809525
Alkaline Phosphomonoesterase-Harboring Microorganisms Mediate Soil Phosphorus Transformation With Stand Age in Chinese Pinus massoniana Plantations Liang Y, Li M, Pan F, Ma J, Yang Z, Ling T, Qin J, Lu S, Zhong F, Song Z Front Microbiol 27-Nov-2020
PMCID:PMC7728850
doi:10.3389/fmicb.2020.571209
PMID:33329428

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 / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones
1,8-Dihydroxy-3-methyl-4a,9a-dihydroanthracene-9,10-dione 24867638 Click to see 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Aloe emodin 10207 Click to see 270.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Physcion 10639 Click to see 284.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones
Emodin(1-) 25201450 Click to see 269.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Phenylacetamides
C-9154 5970690 Click to see 232.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Myristate 4075158 Click to see 227.36 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols
Dotriacontanol 96117 Click to see 466.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Annonaceous acetogenins
Corossoline 11071966 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCC(C1CCC(O1)C(CCCCC(CCCCCCCC2=CC(OC2=O)C)O)O)O 580.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(6R,9S)-vomifoliol 11816951 Click to see 224.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesterterpenoids / Scalarane sesterterpenoids
(3S,14bR)-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-4,4,6a,6a,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-ol 5319977 Click to see 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Triterpene glycosides / Triterpene saponins
1-O-(2,3,19,23-Tetrahydroxy-28-oxours-12-en-28-yl)hexopyranose 44566341 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)CO)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)OC6C(C(C(C(O6)CO)O)O)O 666.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Dotorioside II 16118969 Click to see 666.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Quassinoids
(2S,6S,7S,9R,13R,14S,15R,16S,17R)-11,14,16-trihydroxy-4,15-dimethoxy-2,6,14,17-tetramethyl-10-oxatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.013,17]heptadec-4-en-3-one 10092991 Click to see 410.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(1R,3aS,5aR,5bR,7aR,9R,11aR,11bR,13aS,13bR)-9-hydroxy-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysene-3a-carboxylic acid 11897956 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(3S,6aR,6bS,8aS,11R,12S,12aS,14bR)-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-4,4,6a,6b,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydro-1H-picen-3-ol 6708704 Click to see 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
2alpha,20beta-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid 401423 Click to see 488.70 unknown via CMAUP database
3-Oxotirucalla-7,24-Dien-21-Oic Acid 158100 Click to see CC(=CCCC(C1CCC2(C1(CCC3C2=CCC4C3(CCC(=O)C4(C)C)C)C)C)C(=O)O)C 454.70 unknown via CMAUP database
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 via CMAUP database
Corosolic Acid 6918774 Click to see 472.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Euscaphic Acid 471426 Click to see 488.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S)-17-[(2R,5R)-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-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 52940117 Click to see 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Phenylalanine and derivatives
[(2R)-2-[[[(2S)-2-benzamido-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]methyl]-3-phenylpropyl] acetate 5321123 Click to see 458.50 unknown via CMAUP database
N-Benzoylphenylalaninyl N-benzoylphenylalaninate 90474294 Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)CC(COC(=O)C(CC2=CC=CC=C2)NC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)NC(=O)C4=CC=CC=C4 506.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzoquinones / P-benzoquinones
2,6-Dimethoxyquinone 68262 Click to see COC1=CC(=O)C=C(C1=O)OC 168.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
4-[5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-3-[(3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-2-yl]-2-hydroxyphenolate 54758589 Click to see 463.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 8-O-methylated flavonoids
5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-8-methoxyflavone 5316843 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C2=C1OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)O 316.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins
Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose 65238 Click to see 940.70 unknown via CMAUP database

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