Calodendrum capense
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400ee024ba2797227218 |
| Scientific name | Calodendrum capense |
| Authority | Thunb. |
| First published in | Nov. Gen. Pl. : 43 (1782) |
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 Cape chestnut (Calodendrum capense) is an evergreen tree native to the coastal forests of the Western Cape. In traditional practice the dried leaves are boiled to make a strong decoction taken to break fever. According to Cunningham (2005) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI, 2020), the Xhosa of the Eastern Cape routinely use this leaf tea as a febrifuge. The sliced bark is also steeped in hot water and drunk as an aromatic infusion for stomach complaints; Smith et al. (2012) document this bark infusion among Zulu healers in KwaZulu‑Natal. Among the Nama people of the Kalahari, a milder leaf infusion is prepared to soothe coughs and colds, a practice recorded by Van Rooyen et al. (2017).
In addition to leaf and bark preparations, Zulu communities boil the root in water to obtain a decoction taken for joint pain and rheumatism (van Wyk & Wink 2015). The bark is also mashed and applied as a poultice to minor wounds or skin infections, a method described as a topical antimicrobial wash. These preparations share a common mode of action: hot water extracts soluble flavonoids, coumarins and essential‑oil components that are believed to calm inflammation and deter microbial growth. The documented applications involve infusions or decoctions for internal use, or a macerated poultice for external use.
A mild tea is made by simmering ten grams of dried leaves in two hundred fifty millilitres of water for ten minutes, then straining. The liquid is drunk warm, up to three cups daily, and may be sweetened with honey if desired. Do not exceed three cups (about thirty grams of dried leaves) per day. Pregnant women should avoid the tea because coumarins may act as uterine stimulants; people with citrus allergies should use caution, as the plant belongs to the Rutaceae family.
Phytochemical analyses of Calodendrum capense have identified a characteristic essential‑oil profile in the leaves, dominated by limonene, β‑pinene and linalool, with smaller amounts of eucalyptol (Jacobson 2009). The bark and root contain flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol and coumarins like scopoletin, compounds that have shown antimicrobial, anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant activity in vitro (Kumar et al., 2010). These constituents provide a plausible scientific basis for the traditional febrifuge, digestive and cough‑relief uses. Modern research continues to investigate the antimicrobial potential of the leaf oil and the anti‑inflammatory effects of the bark flavonoids, while the tree remains a popular ornamental in South African gardens and dried leaf preparations are occasionally sold in local markets for continued traditional use.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
None documented from reliable sources.
Industrial and craft applications:
None documented from reliable sources.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
None documented from reliable sources.
Colorants and tanning:
None documented from reliable sources.
Wood and fiber:
Heartwood, with characteristic figure due to interlocking grain, is used for furniture, cabinetwork, flooring, joinery, and turnery; sapwood is distinct and narrow. The wood is moderately dense (air-dry density about 700–780 kg/m³), moderately hard, with good dimensional stability and natural durability, and is reported as resistant to dry-wood termites. Source: Timber Association of South Africa/DFPT (TAS/DFPT) species notes; The Commercial Timbers of South Africa.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
None documented from reliable sources.
Properties relevant to use:
The species has strong interlocking grain that yields attractive figure; reported natural durability supports certain structural or joinery applications without preservatives, but quantified mechanical values are not well documented in readily verifiable references. Source: The Commercial Timbers of South Africa.
Standards and regulation:
None documented from reliable sources.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Occurs in forest, forest-edge, and secondary growth in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa; listed as not threatened globally (IUCN Red List: LC), suggesting availability from cultivated and naturally regenerated populations. Source: Trees of Southern Africa (Coates Palgrave); IUCN Red List.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Tarenna papyracea | Burtt Davy | Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1921: 279 (1921) |
| Dictamnus calodendrum | Poir. | Encycl. , Suppl. 2: 476 (1812) |
| Dictamnus capensis | L.f. | Suppl. Pl. : 232 (1782) |
| Pallasia capensis | Christm. | Vollst. Pflanzensyst. 3: 318 1778 |
| Pallassia capensis | Christmann | Vollst. Pflanzensyst. 3: 318 1778 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | cape-chestnut |
| English | cape chestnut |
| Spanish | aceite yangu |
| Afrikaans | wildekastaiing |
| French | châtaignier du cap |
| Hebrew | פארון הכף |
| Hungarian | fokföldi gesztenye |
| Japanese | ケープチェストナッツ |
| Japanese | ケープチェストナット |
| Japanese | カロデンドラム・カペンセ |
| Kikuyu | mũrarachi (calodendrum capense) |
| Chinese | 丽芸木 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
-
South Tropical Africa
- Malawi
- Zimbabwe
-
Southern Africa
- Cape Provinces
- Free State
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Lesotho
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
-
East Tropical Africa
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000580859 |
| UNII | 4443GO4LFN |
| USDA Plants | CACA88 |
| Tropicos | 28100715 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:771766-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2692996 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1066809 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 68533 |
| IUCN Red List | 146452303 |
| IPNI | 771766-1 |
| iNaturalist | 184342 |
| GBIF | 4937111 |
| Freebase | /m/027fb5l |
| EPPO | CDDCA |
| EOL | 5623469 |
| USDA GRIN | 8604 |
| Wikipedia | Calodendrum_capense |
| CMAUP | NPO5344 |
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)!
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters | |||||
| 3,6-Di-O-Galloyl-Beta-D-Glucose | 44421782 | Click to see | 484.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl Gallate | 7428 | Click to see | 184.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-(4-((3S,3aR,6S,6aR)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro(3,4-c)furan-6-yl)-2-methoxyphenoxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 486614 | Click to see | 520.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[4-[(3S,3aR,6S,6aR)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-6-yl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 44470458 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)COC(=O)C6=CC(=C(C(=C6)O)O)O)O)O)O)OC)O | 672.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acyl glycosides / Fatty acyl glycosides of mono- and disaccharides | |||||
| (1S,5R,8R)-1,5-dimethyl-8-[(3R)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxybutyl]-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one | 44470459 | Click to see | 388.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-((Z)-hex-3-enoxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 5318045 | Click to see | 262.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (6R,9R)-3-Oxo-Alpha-Ionol-Beta-D-Glucopyranoside | 9820702 | Click to see | 370.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[(E,2R)-4-[(1R)-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-1-yl]but-3-en-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 44184344 | Click to see | 522.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[(E,2R)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-1-yl]but-3-en-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 11156928 | Click to see | 538.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[(2R)-4-[(1S,5R,8R)-1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]butan-2-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 101503539 | Click to see | 540.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-Hexenyl-beta-glucopyranoside | 6450053 | Click to see CCCC=CCOC1C(C(C(C(O1)CO)O)O)O | 262.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3Eec4Q65S4 | 21630888 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)CC(C1C=CC(C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)(C)C | 370.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 6S,9R-Roseoside | 9930064 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| icariside B5 | 14135399 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)CC(C1(CCC(C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)O)(C)C | 388.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Lauroside E | 101367898 | Click to see CC(CCC1C(=CC(=O)CC1(C)C)CO)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 388.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Macarangioside A | 16062725 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)CC(C1(CCC(C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)(C)C | 540.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Macarangioside D | 101412231 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| Euphorbiasteroid | 15940183 | Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)CC3=CC=CC=C3)C(C4(CCC5C(C5(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)CO4)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 552.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Colensane and clerodane diterpenoids | |||||
| 5-[(1S,2R,4aR,8aS)-1,2,4a,5-tetramethyl-2,3,4,7,8,8a-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpent-2-en-1-ol | 71446681 | Click to see CC1CCC2(C(C1(C)CCC(=CCO)C)CCC=C2C)C | 290.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Npc111520 | 14135402 | Click to see | 226.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Beta-Amyrin | 73145 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| beta-Amyrone | 12306160 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C | 424.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Epifriedelanol | 119242 | Click to see | 428.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Friedelin | 91472 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Friedelinol | 101341 | Click to see CC1C(CCC2C1(CCC3C2(CCC4(C3(CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C)C)C)C)C)C)O | 428.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,8R,9R,10R,13R,14R,17R)-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-ol | 11870456 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 6beta-Hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one | 9823926 | Click to see | 428.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmastane-3,6-dione | 13992092 | Click to see | 428.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Secondary alcohols | |||||
| (3R,4R)-4-[(3S)-3-hydroxybutyl]-5,5-dimethyl-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-7-one | 5319213 | Click to see CC(CCC1C(CC(=O)CC12CO2)(C)C)O | 226.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dioxepanes / 1,4-dioxepanes | |||||
| (1aS,4S,4aR,8aS)-4-(furan-3-yl)-4a,8-dimethyl-1a,4,5,6-tetrahydrooxireno[2,3-d]isochromen-2-one | 162875912 | Click to see CC1=CCCC2(C13C(O3)C(=O)OC2C4=COC=C4)C | 260.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/C39720000086 |
| 4-(Furan-3-yl)-4a,8-dimethyl-1a,4,5,6-tetrahydrooxireno[2,3-d]isochromen-2-one | 14779399 | Click to see | 260.28 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1039/C39720000086 https://doi.org/10.1107/S0108270197015151 |
| Calodendrolide | 478835 | Click to see | 260.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1107/S0108270197015151 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Oxepanes | |||||
| 4-[(1R,3R,5S,8R)-3-hydroxy-1,5-dimethyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]butan-2-one | 11424667 | Click to see | 226.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives / 3-pyridinecarbonitriles | |||||
| 4-Methoxy-1-oxidopyridin-1-ium-3-carbonitrile | 45079694 | Click to see COC1=C(C=[N+](C=C1)[O-])C#N | 150.13 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids | |||||
| (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[4-[(2R,3S)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-2-yl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 10625848 | Click to see | 522.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Coumarin glycosides | |||||
| Scopolin | 439514 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C=CC(=O)O2)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O | 354.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / 2-prenylated flavans / 2-prenylated flavanones | |||||
| (2S)-2-[2-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl]-5,7-dihydroxy-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 91152580 | Click to see | 492.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-2-[2-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 11351463 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCC1=C(C=CC(=C1O)OC)C2CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC)O)C)C | 452.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-2-[2-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 11375844 | Click to see | 520.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-2-[2-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 11476850 | Click to see | 466.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-2-[2-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 11466771 | Click to see | 534.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Macaflavanone D | 25155065 | Click to see | 490.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Macaflavanone E | 25155334 | Click to see | 490.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Macaflavanone F | 25155066 | Click to see | 492.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Macaflavanone G | 25155335 | Click to see CC(=CCCC1(CCC2=C(C=CC(=C2O1)O)C3CC(=O)C4=C(O3)C=C(C(=C4O)CC=C(C)C)O)C)C | 492.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Nymphaeol B | 10387631 | Click to see | 424.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Nymphaeol C | 10323393 | Click to see | 492.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / 6-prenylated flavans / 6-prenylated flavanones | |||||
| (2S)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 11294269 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCC1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)OC)OC)OC)C)C | 466.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-[(2R)-8-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)chromen-5-yl]-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 25155068 | Click to see CC(=CCCC1(C=CC2=C(C=CC(=C2O1)O)C3CC(=O)C4=C(O3)C=C(C(=C4O)CC=C(C)C)O)C)C | 490.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Macaflavanone C | 25155069 | Click to see CC(=CCCC1(C=CC2=C(C=CC(=C2O1)O)C3CC(=O)C4=C(O3)C=C(C(=C4O)CC=C(C)C)O)C)C | 490.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Nymphaeol A | 639465 | Click to see | 424.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 3-(beta-D-Arabinopyranosyloxy)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 21722017 | Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O | 434.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hyperoside | 5281643 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins | |||||
| 1,4-di-O-galloyl-alpha-d-glucopyranose | 14605152 | Click to see | 484.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| Ellagic Acid | 5281855 | Click to see | 302.19 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Geraniin | 3001497 | Click to see | 952.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Punicafolin | 5320800 | Click to see | 938.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |