''Lindera triloba'' is a plant species belonging to the genus ''
Lindera
Dried fruits of ''Lindera neesiana'' used as spice (coll. MHNT)
''Lindera'' is a genus of about 80–100
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Use
In Japan, the strong branch was used for
walking sticks
A walking stick (also known as a walking cane, cane, walking staff, or staff) is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture. Some designs also serve as a fashion accesso ...
. The seed oil obtained by squeezing ripe fruit was used as fuel for
lanterns
A lantern is a source of lighting, often portable. It typically features a protective enclosure for the light sourcehistorically usually a candle, a wick in oil, or a thermoluminescent mesh, and often a battery-powered light in modern timesto ...
. The leaves have a unique odor, and the
essential oil
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the ...
can be extracted by
hydrodistillation
Steam distillation is a separation process that consists of distillation, distilling water together with other Volatility (chemistry), volatile and non-volatile components. The steam from the boiling water carries the vapor of the volatiles to a ...
. The seedlings for gardening and garden trees are sold to enjoy the autumn leaves.
File:Lindera triloba flower.JPG, flower
File:Lindera triloba at Ibaraki Botanical Garden 02.jpg, young leaves
File:Lindera triloba fruit.JPG, fruit
File:Lindera triloba at Ibaraki Botanical Garden 01.jpg, bark
File:Lindera triloba yellow leaves.jpg, autumn leaves
Biochemistry
Sesquiterpene
Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and often have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be cyclic or contain rings, including many combinations. Biochemical modifications s ...
s such as delobanone and acetoxydelobanone have been isolated from ''Lindera triloba''.
The sesquiterpenes ( α-Cadinol,
δ-Cadinene
Cadinenes are a group of isomeric hydrocarbons that occur in a wide variety of essential oil-producing plants. The name is derived from that of the Juniperus oxycedrus, Cade juniper (''Juniperus oxycedrus'' L.), the wood of which yields an oil fr ...