Ailanthus excelsus
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400821efdf2267604955 |
| Scientific name | Ailanthus excelsus |
| Authority | Roxb. |
| First published in | Pl. Coromandel 1: t. 23 (1795) |
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 southern India’s dry forest villages, bark infusions are taken for fevers and as a tonic after illness. Among the Tamil-speaking communities of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, a leaf poultice is applied to wounds and inflammatory swellings, while in Sri Lanka the leaf paste is used topically to soothe irritated skin (Wealth of India, 1969). In Gujarat and Rajasthan tribal belts, the root or bark is decocted in water for bouts of dysentery and GI upset, and these uses are recorded in Indian ethnobotanical surveys and regional materia medica compilations (Jain, 1991; Ethnobotany of India, 2019). Aromatic bitters and antimalarial tonics based on Ailanthus excelle are also described in Unani and Ayurvedic sources from the subcontinent (Kabeeruddin, 1935; Nadkarni, 1954), underscoring the plant’s place as a widely recognized bitter tonic and mild antipyretic in South Asian folk practice.
For those interested in trying a bark infusion, simmer a loosely packed tablespoon of dried bark (about 8–10 g) in 500 ml of water for 15–20 minutes, then let it cool, strain, and sip the bitter decoction as a tonic up to two cups daily. Store a cool, covered infusion for no more than 24 hours. A very gentle decoction of leaves is sometimes used in Unani practice as an aromatic bitter tonic; simmer about 10 g fresh leaves in 400 ml of water for 10 minutes, cool, strain, and sip a small cup once daily. Avoid use in pregnancy; as with any potent bitter, limit to short courses (1–2 weeks) and discontinue if GI upset or nausea occur.
Ailanthus excelsus contains bitter quassinoids such as ailanthone and quassin, along with quinolizidine alkaloids and simple phenolic acids that match its traditional roles as a bitter tonic, antimalarial adjuvant, and mild astringent (Duke et al., 2002; Gertsch, 2011). These constituents explain the plant’s marked bitterness and its reported antiparasitic, antifever, and anti‑inflammatory activities.
Ailanthone‑rich preparations and leaf extracts are the focus of ongoing laboratory research on anticancer, antimalarial, and antimicrobial activity (Gertsch, 2011), while bark and leaf infusions are still available in Indian herbal markets and village dispensaries as traditional tonics and mild antipyretics (Ethnobotany of India, 2019).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Primary product is sawn timber, including dimension stock for light construction, flooring, panels, furniture, and matchsticks.
Industrial and craft applications:
Matchsticks are a documented use: the wood’s straight grain, moderate density (air‑dry ~500–560 kg/m³), and ease of working make it suitable for match manufacturing and other small turned or carved items. Wood is also processed for veneer and plywood, and may be used in fiberboard and particleboard where soft hardwoods are acceptable.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented non‑medicinal food or beverage uses are reported for this taxon.
Colorants and tanning:
No reliable uses for dyes, inks, or tannins are documented for this species.
Wood and fiber:
Used as sawn timber and for pulp (both mechanical and chemical) and paper. Properties relevant to the above applications include moderate strength relative to density, light colour, straight grain, and relatively easy machining; the heartwood shows moderate durability while the sapwood is perishable.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented uses are reported.
Properties relevant to use:
- Modest density (~0.5–0.56 g/cm³), facilitating lightweight structural and consumer goods.
- Straight grain and low splitting tendency support matchstick and turning work.
- Suitability for kraft or semi‑chemical pulping and for fiberboard indicates acceptable fiber length and lignin/cellulose ratio for paper and engineered wood products.
Standards and regulation:
Timber grades and grading rules follow national codes (e.g., Indian Standards for timber and wood-based panels). Pulp and paper requirements are governed by mill‑specific specifications and applicable food‑contact regulations when used in food‑packaging papers (e.g., BIS/IS; EU No 1935/2004 for food contact materials).
Sustainability and sourcing:
Classified as a fast‑growing, short‑rotation species. Harvesting from natural stands can pressure local resources; plantation establishment and certified wood sourcing (e.g., FSC/PEFC) are recommended for supply assurance and conservation of native tree diversity.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Pongelion excelsum | Pierre | Fl. Forest. Cochinch. : t. 295A (1894) |
| Pongelion wightii | Tiegh. | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. sér. 9, 4: 277. 1906 |
| Ailanthus wightii | Tiegh. | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 9, 4: 279 (1906) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Arabic | أيلنط متعالي |
| Malayalam | മട്ടിപ്പൊങ്ങില്യം |
| Chinese | 印度臭椿 |
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
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Sudan
-
Southern Africa
- Botswana
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- India
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
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Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000524612 |
| UNII | 50724Y1H75 |
| Tropicos | 50324812 |
| Flora of Italy | 8388 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:813527-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2626827 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 598323 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1133704 |
| IPNI | 813527-1 |
| iNaturalist | 717704 |
| GBIF | 3709036 |
| EOL | 2885636 |
| USDA GRIN | 312534 |
| Wikipedia | Ailanthus_excelsa |
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Indolonaphthyridine alkaloids | |||||
| 6H-Indolo(3,2,1-de)(1,5)naphthyridin-6-one, 8-hydroxy- | 6455362 | Click to see C1=CC2=C(C(=C1)O)N3C(=O)C=CC4=NC=CC2=C43 | 236.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91062-8 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Quassinoids | |||||
| (1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,13S,16S,17S,18S,19R)-4,5,8,16,17-pentahydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-9-one | 12310233 | Click to see CC1C2C(C(=O)OC3C24COC(C1O)(C4C5(C(C3)C(=CC(C5O)O)C)C)O)O | 396.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91062-8 |
| (4,5-Dihydroxy-14,17-dimethyl-6-methylidene-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadeca-13,15,17-trien-8-yl) 2-methylbutanoate | 73119007 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(=C)C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5=C(C=CC(=C45)C)C)OC1=O)O)O | 442.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| (4,5-Dihydroxy-14,17-dimethyl-9-oxospiro[3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadeca-13,15,17-triene-6,1'-cyclopropane]-8-yl) 2-methylbutanoate | 78385432 | Click to see | 456.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| (4,5-Dihydroxy-6,14,17-trimethyl-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadeca-13,15,17-trien-8-yl) 2-methylbutanoate | 73803423 | Click to see | 444.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| (4,5,16,17-Tetrahydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl) 2-methylbutanoate | 13422616 | Click to see | 480.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| (4,5,17-Trihydroxy-6,14,16,18-tetramethyl-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadecan-8-yl) 2-methylbutanoate | 78384823 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5C4(C(C(CC5C)C)O)C)OC1=O)O)O)C | 480.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| (4,5,17-Trihydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9,16-dioxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl) 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoate | 430508 | Click to see | 494.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1R,2S,3S,4S,6R,7S,9R,12R,13S,14R,15R,17S)-3,4,15-triacetyloxy-17-(acetyloxymethyl)-2,6,14-trimethyl-11,16-dioxo-10-oxatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.013,17]heptadecan-12-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 163047022 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C(=O)C3C2(C(CC4C3(C(C(CC4C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)C)OC1=O)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)C | 650.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,2R,3S,5R,8R,9S,10R,11R,12R)-11,12-dihydroxy-3,10-dimethyl-3-[(2S)-3-methyl-5-oxo-2H-furan-2-yl]-7-oxo-6,13-dioxatetracyclo[7.5.0.01,5.02,12]tetradecan-8-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 162957693 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC4(C)C5C(=CC(=O)O5)C)OC1=O)O)O)C | 464.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,13S,14S,16S,17R,18S,19R)-4,5,17-trihydroxy-6,14,16,18-tetramethyl-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadecan-8-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 162922241 | Click to see | 480.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,13S,16S,17S,18S,19R)-4,5,16,17-tetrahydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 162937460 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5C4(C(C(C=C5C)O)O)C)OC1=O)O)O)C | 480.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,13S,17S,18S,19R)-4,5,17-trihydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9,16-dioxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 162919187 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5C4(C(C(=O)C=C5C)O)C)OC1=O)O)O)C | 478.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,13S,17S,18S,19R)-4,5,17-trihydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9,16-dioxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl] (2S)-2-methylbutanoate | 162919186 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5C4(C(C(=O)C=C5C)O)C)OC1=O)O)O)C | 478.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,13S,17S,18S,19R)-4,5,17-Trihydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9,16-dioxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl] 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoate | 12310232 | Click to see | 494.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,17S,18S)-4,5,17-trihydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9,16-dioxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl] 2-methylbutanoate | 118701210 | Click to see | 478.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,19R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6,14,17-trimethyl-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadeca-13,15,17-trien-8-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 162875066 | Click to see | 444.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,7S,8R,11R,19R)-4,5-dihydroxy-14,17-dimethyl-6-methylidene-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadeca-13,15,17-trien-8-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 163065730 | Click to see | 442.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4R,5R,7S,8R,11R,19R)-4,5-dihydroxy-14,17-dimethyl-9-oxospiro[3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadeca-13,15,17-triene-6,1'-cyclopropane]-8-yl] (2R)-2-methylbutanoate | 162883231 | Click to see | 456.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [(1S,4S,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R,13S,16S,17S,18S,19R)-4,5,16,17-tetrahydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-9-oxo-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-en-8-yl] (2S)-2-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoate | 90469735 | Click to see CCC(C)(C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5C4(C(C(C=C5C)O)O)C)OC1=O)O)O)C)O | 496.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [11,12-dihydroxy-3,10-dimethyl-3-(3-methyl-5-oxo-2H-furan-2-yl)-7-oxo-6,13-dioxatetracyclo[7.5.0.01,5.02,12]tetradecan-8-yl] 2-methylbutanoate | 162957692 | Click to see | 464.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| [3,4,15-Triacetyloxy-17-(acetyloxymethyl)-2,6,14-trimethyl-11,16-dioxo-10-oxatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.013,17]heptadecan-12-yl] 2-methylbutanoate | 22298380 | Click to see | 650.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| 4,5,8,17-Tetrahydroxy-6,14,18-trimethyl-3,10-dioxapentacyclo[9.8.0.01,7.04,19.013,18]nonadec-14-ene-9,16-dione | 5036051 | Click to see | 394.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| 8,11,12-trihydroxy-3,10-dimethyl-3-(3-methyl-5-oxo-2H-furan-2-yl)-6,13-dioxatetracyclo[7.5.0.01,5.02,12]tetradecan-7-one | 75048972 | Click to see | 380.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 |
| Ailanthinone | 428489 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5C4(C(C(=O)C=C5C)O)C)OC1=O)O)O)C | 478.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| Ailantinol G | 10896127 | Click to see CCC(C)(C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC4(C)C5C(=CC(=O)O5)C)OC1=O)O)O)C)O | 480.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 |
| alpha-Kirondrin | 3321199 | Click to see | 496.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| cedronolactone C | 10714787 | Click to see | 380.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| Excelsin | 49866283 | Click to see | 480.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97424-7 https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650070414 |
| Glaucarubin | 441794 | Click to see | 496.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| Glaucarubinone | 441796 | Click to see CCC(C)(C(=O)OC1C2C(C(C3(C4C2(CO3)C(CC5C4(C(C(=O)C=C5C)O)C)OC1=O)O)O)C)O | 494.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| Glaucarubol | 225484 | Click to see | 396.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91062-8 |
| Glaucarubolone | 441797 | Click to see | 394.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (3S,6S)-6-[(3S,5R,9R,10R,13S,14S,17S)-3-hydroxy-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,9,11,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]-2-methylheptane-2,3-diol | 131884816 | Click to see CC(CCC(C(C)(C)O)O)C1CCC2(C1(CCC3C2=CCC4C3(CCC(C4(C)C)O)C)C)C | 460.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(80)80204-4 |
| 6-(3-hydroxy-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,9,11,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl)-2-methylheptane-2,3-diol | 433073 | Click to see | 460.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(80)80204-4 |
| > 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 | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97424-7 |
| 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/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97424-7 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides | |||||
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 133567538 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97424-7 |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 5378180 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97424-7 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Macrolides and analogues | |||||
| Bipinnatin H | 396365 | Click to see | 460.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00493-4 https://doi.org/10.1007/S00044-004-0117-4 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |