Ptelea trifoliata

Details Top

Internal ID UUID644000a2cef7f945844719
Scientific name Ptelea trifoliata
Authority L.
First published in Sp. Pl. : 118 (1753)

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.

Among North American Indigenous groups, hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) has been taken as a warming, bitter infusion or decoction for fevers, colds, chills, and gastrointestinal complaints. The Cherokee and Iroquois used a bark or root decoction to break fevers and ease chills; the Meskwaki treated fever with a bark or root infusion as well (Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany). Frontier settlers learned to use the bitter bark and young branches as a stomachic tea, a tonic said to stimulate appetite and digestion (Kindscher, Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie). For digestive upset, the Cherokee employed a bark or root decoction for diarrhea and colicky pains, and the Iroquois drank bark or root preparations for stomachache (Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany). The same groups also used crushed leaf or leaf-and-bark poultices on minor wounds and skin irritations (Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany).

To make a fever‑and‑digestive decoction: finely chop or lightly crush 5–6 g (about 1–1½ tsp) of dried Ptelea trifoliata root or bark and simmer it in about 240 mL (1 cup) of water for 15–20 minutes; cool, strain, and take small doses of roughly 30–60 mL (2–4 tbsp) up to three times per day while symptoms persist. This bitterness cautions limited, short‑term use; it should be avoided in pregnancy and in people sensitive to coumarins or with known anticoagulant therapy.

The species contains well‑studied coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, psoralen), limonoids, and flavonoids; the coumarins are the most characteristic chemistry and plausibly account for bitter stimulant effects and some antimicrobial actions (Kindscher, Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie; Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany).

While interest in Ptelea trifoliata remains modest, bitter hoptree bark is still discussed as a historical stomachic tonic and featured in ethnobotanical reviews and native‑plant nurseries.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Humulene-type hop substitute (bark), aromatic leaves and immature fruit used to scentyer.

Industrial and craft applications:
Hard, fine-grained wood is occasionally used for small turnery and tool handles.

Properties relevant to use:
Aromatic compounds in foliage, bark, and fruit (including coumarins) and sesquiterpenes provide persistent scent; astringent bark yields polyphenolic extractives.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Common and widely distributed across North America; not at risk and amenable to cultivation on open sites.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Ptelea pentaphylla Münchh. Hausvater 5: 242 (1770)
Ptelea acutifolia Greene & Rose Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 10: 68 (1906)
Ptelea aquilina Greene Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 10: 57 (1906)
Ptelea microphylla D.Dietr. Syn. Pl. 1: 497 (1839)
Ptelea isophylla Greene Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 10: 58 (1906)
Ptelea mesochora Greene Torreya 5: 100 (1905)
Ptelea viticifolia Salisb. Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 68 (1796)
Ptelea carolina Greene Torreya 5: 99 (1905)
Ptelea toxicodendron Small Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 294 (1901)
Ptelea obcordata Greene Torreya 5: 99 (1905)
Dodonaea trifoliata Trew Pl. Rar. 12. t. 9.
Ptelea serrata Small Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 292 (1901)
Ptelea microcarpa Small Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 293 (1901)
Ptelea baldwinii Torr. & A.Gray Fl. N. Amer. 1: 215 (1838)
Ptelea trifoliata var. pentaphilla Du Roi Harbk. Baumz. 2: 203 (1772)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English carolina shrub-trefoil
English common hoptree
English stinking ash
English wafer ash
English woolly hoptree
English wingseed
English water-ash
English swamp dogwood
English stinking prairie bush
English skunk bush
English sang-tree
English quinine tree
English prickaway anise
English prairie-grub
English paleleaf hoptree
English ague bark
Arabic دردار السامرة الثلاثي الوريقات
Arabic دردار ذو ثلاث ورقات
Azerbaijani Üçyarpaq pteleya
Belarusian Птэлея трохлістая
Belarusian Вязавік трохлісты
Czech křídlatec trojlistý
Danish kløver-læderkrone
German dreiblättriger lederstrauch
German kleeulme
Persian خاکستر زننده
Finnish humalalaikkio
Hungarian hármaslevelű alásfa
Armenian Պտելեյա եռատերև
Norwegian Bokmål humlebusk
Polish parczelina trójlistkowa
Russian Кожинка
Russian Кожанка
Russian Вязовник трёхлисточковый
Russian Птелея трёхлисточковая
Russian Птелея трёхлистная
Serbian Птелеа
Ukrainian Птелея трилиста
Chinese 三葉椒
Chinese 三叶椒
Chinese 齿叶榆橘
Chinese 鲍尔温榆橘
Chinese 榆橘

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Ptelea trifoliata subsp. angustifolia (Benth.) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 15 (1962)
Ptelea trifoliata subsp. coahuilensis (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 28 (1962)
Ptelea trifoliata subsp. pallida (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 23 (1962)
Ptelea trifoliata subsp. polyadenia (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 20 (1962)
Ptelea trifoliata subsp. trifoliata

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Ptelea trifoliata var. confinis (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 27 (1962)
Ptelea trifoliata var. lutescens (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 25. 1962
Ptelea trifoliata var. mollis Torr. & A.Gray Fl. N. Amer. 1: 680 (1840)
Ptelea trifoliata var. persicifolia (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 19 (1962)
Ptelea trifoliata var. pumila (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 29 (1962)
Ptelea trifoliata var. cognata (Greene) V.L.Bailey Brittonia 14: 18 (1962)

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Ptelea trifoliata f. pubescens (Pursh) Fernald Rhodora 38(450): 233 1936

Germination/Propagation Top

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Start at 4°C for 3 months, then warm to 20°C for another 3 months.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Europe
    • Middle Europe
      • Belgium
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Germany
      • Hungary
    • Southeastern Europe
      • Bulgaria
      • Romania
    • Southwestern Europe
      • France
      • Spain
  • Northern America
    • Eastern Canada
      • Ontario
      • Québec
    • Mexico
      • Mexico Central
      • Mexico Gulf
      • Mexico Northeast
      • Mexico Northwest
      • Mexico Southwest
    • North-central U.S.A.
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • Kansas
      • Minnesota
      • Missouri
      • Nebraska
      • Oklahoma
      • Wisconsin
    • Northeastern U.S.A.
      • Connecticut
      • Indiana
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New York
      • Ohio
      • Pennsylvania
      • Rhode Island
      • Vermont
      • West Virginia
    • Northwestern U.S.A.
      • Colorado
    • South-central U.S.A.
      • New Mexico
      • Texas
    • Southeastern U.S.A.
      • Alabama
      • Arkansas
      • Delaware
      • District Of Columbia
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maryland
      • Mississippi
      • North Carolina
      • South Carolina
      • Tennessee
      • Virginia
    • Southwestern U.S.A.
      • Arizona
      • Utah

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000471373
UNII X236985060
Florida Plant Atlas 3492
Flora of Alabama 3307
Canadensys 9039
USDA Plants PTTR
UConn 370
Tropicos 28100521
INPN 116263
Flora of Italy 10254
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:774969-1
The Plant List kew-2543462
Missouri Botanical Garden 286752
Open Tree Of Life 113663
Observations.org 148386
NCBI Taxonomy 210336
Nature Serve 2.159313
IUCN Red List 156771719
IPNI 774969-1
iNaturalist 50626
iNaturalist 50625
GBIF 3190411
Freebase /m/01lfrk
WisFlora 13251
EPPO PTATR
EOL 581897
Elurikkus 6616
USDA GRIN 30275
Wikipedia Ptelea_trifoliata

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
Furoquinoline Alkaloids: Insights into Chemistry, Occurrence, and Biological Properties Szewczyk A, Pęczek F Int J Mol Sci 15-Aug-2023
PMCID:PMC10454094
doi:10.3390/ijms241612811
PMID:37628986
Montjuïc Hill (Barcelona): A Hotspot for Plant Invasions in a Mediterranean City Ibáñez N, Gómez-Bellver C, Farelo P, Montserrat JM, Pyke S, Nualart N, López-Pujol J Plants (Basel) 21-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10384852
doi:10.3390/plants12142713
PMID:37514329
Assessing the Spontaneous Spread of Climate-Adapted Woody Plants in an Extensively Maintained Collection Garden Szabó K, Gergely A, Tóth B, Szilágyi K Plants (Basel) 15-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10224429
doi:10.3390/plants12101989
PMID:37653906
Spider mites avoid caterpillar traces to prevent intraguild predation Kinto S, Akino T, Yano S Sci Rep 01-Feb-2023
PMCID:PMC9892025
doi:10.1038/s41598-023-28861-0
PMID:36726030
Insect Floral Visitors of Ptelea trifoliata (Rutaceae) in Iowa, United States Talcott Stewart AJ, O’Neal ME, Graves WR Ann Entomol Soc Am 08-Jul-2022
PMCID:PMC9467031
doi:10.1093/aesa/saac012
PMID:36105848
Conditional inference trees in the assessment of tree mortality rates in the transitional mixed forests of Atlantic Canada Guan H, Dong X, Yan G, Searls T, Bourque CP, Meng FR PLoS One 18-Jun-2021
PMCID:PMC8213180
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0250991
PMID:34143806
Comparative analysis of phenotypic plasticity sheds light on the evolution and molecular underpinnings of locust phase polyphenism Foquet B, Castellanos AA, Song H Sci Rep 07-Jun-2021
PMCID:PMC8184943
doi:10.1038/s41598-021-91317-w
PMID:34099755
Autumn larval cold tolerance does not predict the northern range limit of a widespread butterfly species Tremblay P, MacMillan HA, Kharouba HM Ecol Evol 22-May-2021
PMCID:PMC8216912
doi:10.1002/ece3.7663
PMID:34188890
Paliasanines A–E, 3,4-Methylenedioxyquinoline Alkaloids Fused with a Phenyl-14-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane Unit from Melochia umbellata var. deglabrata Rahim A, Saito Y, Fukuyoshi S, Miyake K, Goto M, Chen CH, Alam G, Lee KH, Nakagawa-Goto K J Nat Prod 18-Sep-2020
PMCID:PMC8173965
doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00454
PMID:32946697
The Piedra Chamana fossil woods and leaves: a record of the vegetation and palaeoenvironment of the Neotropics during the late middle Eocene Woodcock DW, Meyer HW Ann Bot 12-Mar-2020
PMCID:PMC7262476
doi:10.1093/aob/mcaa039
PMID:32161957
Present Scenario of Circular RNAs (circRNAs) in Plants Zhao W, Chu S, Jiao Y Front Plant Sci 02-Apr-2019
PMCID:PMC6454147
doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.00379
PMID:31001302
Assessing ecological and physiological costs of melanism in North American Papilio glaucus females: two decades of dark morph frequency declines Scriber JM Insect Sci 07-Jan-2019
PMCID:PMC7277061
doi:10.1111/1744-7917.12653
PMID:30456932
Biotechnology, In Vitro Production of Natural Bioactive Compounds, Herbal Preparation, and Disease Management (Treatment and Prevention) Alamgir AN Therapeutic Use of Medicinal Plants and their Extracts: Volume 2 24-Jun-2018
PMCID:PMC7123938
doi:10.1007/978-3-319-92387-1_7
The Mesocallis Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) of the Korean Peninsula with Descriptions of Two New Species Lee Y, Kanturski M, Lee S Zool Stud 23-Apr-2018
PMCID:PMC6517745
doi:10.6620/ZS.2018.57-17
PMID:31966257
Female mate choice of male signals is unlikely to promote ecological adaptation in Enchenopa treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae) Fowler‐Finn KD, Kilmer JT, Cruz DC, Rodríguez RL Ecol Evol 22-Jan-2018
PMCID:PMC5817129
doi:10.1002/ece3.3817
PMID:29468032

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 / Naphthalenes
(2R,9R)-6,8-dimethoxy-9-(methylamino)-2-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]naphthalen-4-one 162948059 Click to see 313.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)98477-1
6,8-Dimethoxy-9-(methylamino)-2-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]naphthalen-4-one 162948058 Click to see CC(=C)C1CC2=C(C1)C(=O)C3=C(C2NC)C(=CC(=C3)OC)OC 313.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)98477-1
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 9,9-epoxylignans / Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans
Arctigenin methyl ether 384877 Click to see 386.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8
Dimethylmatairesinol 1286 Click to see 386.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Dihydrofuranoquinolines
(13R)-16-methyl-13-prop-1-en-2-yl-3,5,14-trioxa-16-azatetracyclo[7.7.0.02,6.011,15]hexadeca-1(9),2(6),7,11(15)-tetraen-10-one 162991305 Click to see CC(=C)C1CC2=C(O1)N(C3=C(C2=O)C=CC4=C3OCO4)C 285.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
16-Methyl-13-prop-1-en-2-yl-3,5,14-trioxa-16-azatetracyclo[7.7.0.02,6.011,15]hexadeca-1(9),2(6),7,11(15)-tetraen-10-one 162991304 Click to see 285.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines
Kokusaginine 10227 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC 259.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19910002261
Maculosidine 68222 Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC)N=C3C(=C2OC)C=CO3 259.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19910002261
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Hydroquinolones
2-Undecyl-4(1H)-quinolinone 10063343 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCC1=CC(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2N1 299.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)83063-9
3-(2-Hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-4,6,8-trimethoxy-1-methylquinolin-2-one 101967150 Click to see CC(=C)C(CC1=C(C2=C(C(=CC(=C2)OC)OC)N(C1=O)C)OC)O 333.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19910002261
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8
3-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-4,6,8-trimethoxy-1-methylquinolin-2-one 162883964 Click to see 333.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8
4,6,8-Trimethoxy-1-methyl-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)quinolin-2-one 162932636 Click to see 317.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85397-0
4,6,8-Trimethoxy-3-(2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-1-methylquinolin-2-one 163053513 Click to see 347.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1
4,6,8-trimethoxy-3-[(2S)-2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-1-methylquinolin-2-one 163053514 Click to see CC(=C)C(CC1=C(C2=C(C(=CC(=C2)OC)OC)N(C1=O)C)OC)OC 347.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1
4,8-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]quinolin-6-one 12314738 Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C2=CC3=C(C(=C2N(C1=O)C)OC)OCO3)OC)C 331.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1
6-Methoxy-7-(2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one 162880910 Click to see 331.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
6-Methoxy-7-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8(9H)-one 14845307 Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2)OCO3)NC1=O)OC)C 287.31 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86348-7
6-methoxy-7-[(2S)-2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one 162880911 Click to see 331.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
7-(2-Hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-6-methoxy-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one 163036508 Click to see 317.34 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
7-(3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-6-methoxy-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one 163022440 Click to see 333.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
7-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-6-methoxy-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one 163036509 Click to see 317.34 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
methyl (2R)-4-(6-methoxy-9-methyl-8-oxo-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-7-yl)-2-methylbutanoate 162956266 Click to see CC(CCC1=C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2)OCO3)N(C1=O)C)OC)C(=O)OC 347.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1
Methyl 4-(6-methoxy-9-methyl-8-oxo-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-7-yl)-2-methylbutanoate 12314739 Click to see CC(CCC1=C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2)OCO3)N(C1=O)C)OC)C(=O)OC 347.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Pyranoquinolines
(4R)-2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[(2E)-2-(9-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[2,3-b]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one 163195025 Click to see CC(=C1CC2=C(O1)N(C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)C)CC4CC(OC5=C4C(=O)N(C6=CC=CC=C65)C)(C)C 482.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116
(4S)-2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[(2E)-2-(5-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[3,2-c]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one 162889864 Click to see CC(=C1CC2=C(O1)C3=CC=CC=C3N(C2=O)C)CC4CC(OC5=C4C(=O)N(C6=CC=CC=C65)C)(C)C 482.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116
(5S)-2-methoxy-6,6-dimethyl-7,12,14-trioxa-9-azatetracyclo[8.7.0.03,8.011,15]heptadeca-1(10),2,8,11(15),16-pentaen-5-ol 163190708 Click to see CC1(C(CC2=C(C3=C(C4=C(C=C3)OCO4)N=C2O1)OC)O)C 303.31 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
2-Methoxy-6,6-dimethyl-7,12,14-trioxa-9-azatetracyclo[8.7.0.03,8.011,15]heptadeca-1(10),2,8,11(15),16-pentaen-5-ol 14845309 Click to see 303.31 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X
2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[2-(5-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[3,2-c]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one 635483 Click to see CC(=C1CC2=C(O1)C3=CC=CC=C3N(C2=O)C)CC4CC(OC5=C4C(=O)N(C6=CC=CC=C65)C)(C)C 482.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116
2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[2-(9-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[2,3-b]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one 71440014 Click to see 482.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Rotenoids / Rotenones
cis-12a-Hydroxyrot-2'-enonic acid 44257415 Click to see 412.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116

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