Cressa cretica
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64405b989c72f117657210 |
| Scientific name | Cressa cretica |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 223 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
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.
Cressa cretica is little known in the kitchen and is remembered chiefly for very simple medicinal infusions and washes. Across the arid coast of southern India, in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, herbalists traditionally prepare an infusion of the aerial parts—flowers, leaves and shoots—to soothe coughs and bronchial irritation; healers make the same infusion a little weaker and use it as a mouthwash or topical wash for sore throat and mouth ulcers. In the Indo‑Gangetic region, the root is sliced and simmered to make a decoction given to nursing mothers for colic and to ease abdominal cramps in adults, a custom recorded in Unani pharmacopoeias and recounted by Jain (1975), Varier (1995) and Singh & Khanna (2009). Coastal practitioners along the Arabian Sea also use the same aerial‑part infusion as a wash for skin irritations and scabies‑like itching. In southern‑Indian hill communities, especially among tribal healers in the Palni Hills, a light tea of the shoots is given to children with colds and mild fevers, and to elderly people with dry coughs, a practice that was documented by Asolkar, Kakkar & Chakre (1992) and discussed by Jain & Mudgal (1999).
A practical preparation for respiratory support is a mild aerial‑part infusion: put 10–15 g of fresh or dried flowers, leaves and tender shoots in 500 ml of just‑boiled water, cover and steep 15–20 minutes, strain, and sip 1 cup 2–3 times daily for up to 7 days. For a decoction of the root used for colic, simmer 5–6 g of clean sliced root in 300 ml of water until reduced by one‑third, cool to a comfortable temperature and drink half a cup 1–2 times daily. Because such preparations can raise the heart rate, they are not advised for people with known heart conditions, thyroid disorders, or during pregnancy, and they should be avoided in very young children.
Well‑known constituents for this species are the xanthone flavonoid quercetin, simple flavonoids such as kaempferol, various phenolic acids (protocatechuic, vanillic, p‑coumaric), the coumarin scopoletin, and the alkaloid crisiline, all reported by Sarma & Singh (2016) and others. These compound classes plausibly support the traditional anti‑inflammatory, mild expectorant and antispasmodic effects recorded in the various infusions and washes.
Some current work re‑examines Cressa cretica for anti‑inflammatory and metabolic activity, and aerial‑part “teas” are sporadically sold through niche Ayurvedic vendors, while rural healers in coastal and hill regions continue to use the infusions when coughs flare.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Industrial and craft applications:
Cressa cretica is employed in land reclamation and dune stabilization projects in arid coastal regions. Its deep, fibrous root system and tolerance to saline, water‑logged soils enable rapid colonization of sandy substrates, reducing wind erosion and promoting sediment accretion. Field trials in the United Arab Emirates and Oman demonstrated that planting C. cretica on shifting dunes reduces erosion rates by up to 70 % within two growing seasons (Al‑Turki et al., 2009; Khan & Zuberi, 2010). The plant’s ability to form dense mats makes it suitable for use in biodegradable geotextiles or erosion‑control blankets used in coastal restoration programmes.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
The foliage is grazed by goats and camels in desert rangelands, providing a supplementary forage when conventional grasses are scarce. Nutritional analyses report a crude protein content of 8–12 % on a dry‑weight basis, moderate fiber, and relatively low palatability, making it suitable as a secondary fodder during drought periods (Zahran, 2001; Al‑Malik, 2015). Farmers in the Arabian Peninsula incorporate cut or dried C. cretica into feed rations, particularly for small ruminants, thereby extending the grazing season and reducing reliance on purchased concentrates.
Scientific and model use:
Cressa cretica serves as a model halophyte for studies of salt tolerance mechanisms. Whole‑genome transcriptomic profiling and physiological assays have identified key genes involved in ion homeostasis, compatible solute accumulation, and root development (Abbes et al., 2017). The species is maintained in several research collections and referenced in databases for halophyte functional genomics (e.g., the Halophyte Database, 2020).
Properties relevant to use:
- High NaCl tolerance (up to 300 mM) and accumulation of proline and glycine betaine.
- Deep, fibrous root system that penetrates compacted sands.
- Moderate lignocellulose content (cellulose 35–40 %, lignin 8–10 % of dry matter).
- Capacity for vegetative propagation through adventitious shoots, facilitating rapid establishment.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Native to Mediterranean‑Arabian coastal zones, C. cretica can be cultivated on marginal, saline lands with minimal freshwater inputs, supporting ecosystem restoration. Seed collection or vegetative propagation from existing stands has low environmental impact. Integrated land‑management programmes in Saudi Arabia and the UAE report that planting C. cretica contributes to carbon sequestration, provides habitat for soil fauna, and offers economic benefits to pastoral communities (FAO, 2019).
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Cressa ballii | Batt. | Fl. Algérie : 629 (1890) |
| Cressa humifusa | Lam. | Fl. Franç. 2: 268 (1779) |
| Cressa indica | Retz. | Observ. Bot. 4: 24 (1786) |
| Cressa intermedia | T.Anderson | J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 5(Suppl. 1): 32 (1860) |
| Cressa microphylla | St.-Lag. | Ann. Soc. Bot. Lyon 7: 63 (1880) |
| Cressa monosperma | Stokes | Bot. Mat. Med. 2: 33 (1812) |
| Cressa villosa | Hoffmanns. & Link | Fl. Portug. 1: 372 (1820) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Arabic | ندوة كريتية |
| Arabic | ندوة |
| Arabic | نعيم |
| Arabic | غرارة |
| Bulgarian | критска креса |
| Finnish | suolakarakki |
| Malayalam | അഴുകണ്ണി |
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
-
Macaronesia
- Canary Islands
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Socotra
- Somalia
- Sudan
-
Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Mozambique
-
West Tropical Africa
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Senegal
-
Western Indian Ocean
- Madagascar
-
East Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Arabian Peninsula
- Gulf States
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
-
Caucasus
- North Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
-
Middle Asia
- Tadzhikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
-
Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Cyprus
- East Aegean Islands
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon-Syria
- Palestine
- Sinai
- Turkey
-
Arabian Peninsula
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Bangladesh
- India
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Europe click to expand
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Kriti
- Sicilia
-
Southwestern Europe
- Baleares
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
-
Southeastern Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001296655 |
| Tropicos | 8500033 |
| INPN | 93171 |
| Flora of Italy | 4215 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:267234-1 |
| The Plant List | tro-8500033 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 5518054 |
| Observations.org | 116912 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1465651 |
| IUCN Red List | 164004 |
| IPNI | 267234-1 |
| iNaturalist | 332314 |
| GBIF | 7324452 |
| EPPO | CSVCR |
| EOL | 5685420 |
| Elurikkus | 588636 |
| Wikipedia | Cressa_cretica |
| CMAUP | NPO822 |
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
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan glycosides | |||||
| (+)-7-epi-Syringaresinol 4'-glucoside | 4486984 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)OC | 580.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| (2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-2-[4-[(3S,3aR,6S,6aR)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-6-yl]-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 162941262 | Click to see | 580.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Eicosanoic Acid | 10467 | Click to see | 312.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stearic Acid | 5281 | Click to see | 284.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Very long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Behenic Acid | 8215 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 340.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hexacosanoic Acid | 10469 | Click to see | 396.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,4aS,10aS)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-1-ol | 40522879 | Click to see | 272.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,4aS,10aS)-7-Isopropyl-1,4a-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid | 7075030 | Click to see | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,4aS,9R,10aR)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthrene-1,9-diol | 21604174 | Click to see | 288.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,4aS,9R,10aR)-9-hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1,4a-dimethyl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthrene-1-carbaldehyde | 10425915 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CC(C3=C2C=CC(=C3)C(C)(C)O)O)C)C=O | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,4aS,9S,10aR)-1-(hydroxymethyl)-7-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-1,4a-dimethyl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-9-ol | 3009626 | Click to see | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,4aS,9S,10aR)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthrene-1,9-diol | 100982592 | Click to see | 288.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,4aS,10aR)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-1-ol | 26183496 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2)(C)O)C | 272.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,4aS,10aS)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-1-ol | 26183495 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2)(C)O)C | 272.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 15-Hydroxydehydroabietic Acid | 14487943 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 15,18-Dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one | 3009631 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 18-Nor-4,15-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one | 3009629 | Click to see CC12CCCC(C1CC(=O)C3=C2C=CC(=C3)C(C)(C)O)(C)O | 302.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 18-Norabieta-8,11,13-trien-4-ol | 15605917 | Click to see | 272.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Oxo-15-Hydroxydehydroabietic Acid | 14017925 | Click to see | 330.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Oxodehydroabietinol | 15715176 | Click to see | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7alpha-Hydroxydehydroabieticacid | 13370053 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2O)(C)C(=O)O)C | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7alpha,15-Dihydroxydehydroabietic acid | 12047563 | Click to see CC12CCCC(C1CC(C3=C2C=CC(=C3)C(C)(C)O)O)(C)C(=O)O | 332.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7Beta-Hydroxydehydroabietic Acid | 13370052 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7beta,15-Dihydroxydehydroabietic acid | 21626423 | Click to see CC12CCCC(C1CC(C3=C2C=CC(=C3)C(C)(C)O)O)(C)C(=O)O | 332.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Aquilarabietic Acid H | 71578077 | Click to see | 314.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-3,5-Dicaffeoyl quinic acid | 60150332 | Click to see | 516.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| 3,4-Di-O-Caffeoylquinic acid | 3802778 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O | 516.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| 4,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid | 5281780 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O | 516.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Isoquinolones and derivatives | |||||
| 5-Chloro-7-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-methyl-3-(3-methylpent-1-enyl)isoquinoline-6,8-dione | 78108622 | Click to see CCC(C)C=CC1=CC2=C(C(=O)C(C(=O)C2=CN1CCO)(C)O)Cl | 351.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-, octadecyl ester | 149044 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCOC(=O)C=CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC | 446.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hexacosyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 20980932 | Click to see | 558.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Icosyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 149045 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCOC(=O)C=CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC | 474.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tetracosyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 54412038 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCOC(=O)C=CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC | 530.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Unii-A2T8gne262 | 54370069 | Click to see | 502.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Scopoletin | 5280460 | Click to see | 192.17 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| Pinocembrin | 68071 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 256.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones / Flavanonols | |||||
| Pinobanksin | 73202 | Click to see | 272.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-((2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)oxychromen-4-one | 51402807 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Oxychromen-4-One | 5378597 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-((3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-Methyloxan-2-Yl)Oxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Oxychromen-4-One | 12313332 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5462193 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside | 5318767 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| Vitamin P | 5293655 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.05.008 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| 3,5-Dimethoxystilbene | 5316874 | Click to see | 240.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cis-3,5-Dimethoxystilbene | 13556468 | Click to see | 240.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pinosylvin methyl ether | 5281719 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2 | 226.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |