Cunninghamia lanceolata
Chinese fir
Cunninghamia lanceolata, commonly known as the Lancewood, is a versatile Australian medicinal plant. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it has traditionally been used by Indigenous communities to treat various ailments. This study explores its therapeutic potential, focusing on its antioxidant properties and its significant role in modern pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Cunninghamia lanceolata
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Pinidae and the order Pinales, it is further categorized into the family Cupressaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cunninghamia, specifically as the species Cunninghamia lanceolata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Pinidae | WCVP |
| Order | Pinales | WCVP |
| Family | Cupressaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cunninghamia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cunninghamia lanceolata, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Chinese as used in Hong Kong (zh-hk), and Chinese as used in Mainland China (zh-cn), it is commonly called 杉木. Additionally, in the context of Singapore (zh-sg), it is identified under the broader classification of 杉木属.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 杉木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 杉木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 杉木 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 杉木 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 杉木属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 杉木 | Wikidata |
| pl | Stroigła chińska | Wikidata |
| udm | Куннингамия | Wikidata |
| de | Spießtanne | Wikidata |
| de-ch | Spiesstanne | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans several distinct regions. In the Atlantic Ocean, its presence can be noted on the island of St. Helena. Within Asia, it is widely spread across various provinces of China. Specifically, it is found in the South-Central and North-Central regions of the country. Additionally, its range extends to the island of Hainan and the high-altitude areas of Qinghai.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | St.Helena | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cunninghamia lanceolata, is a coniferous species characterized by its robust structure, where the wood serves as a primary component for various industrial and medicinal applications. Within the trunk, the dense and durable heartwood is particularly notable for its distinct color and strength, often utilized in traditional practices due to its unique chemical properties. The quality and density of both the structural wood and the inner heartwood are essential indicators of the tree's maturity and its potential efficacy in botanical uses.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| wood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heartwood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cunninghamia lanceolata has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-((1e)-3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenol, 5-methoxytrachelogenin, 5-methoxywikstromol, lanceoline, squalene.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 4-((1e)-3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-methoxytrachelogenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-methoxywikstromol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lanceoline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| squalene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmast-4-en-3-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |