A Preliminary Phytochemical Survey of Papua-New Guinea

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION of the island ofNew Guinea as a whole was not seriouslyundertaken until about 1875. Then and forsome time subsequently, the flora of BritishN~w Guinea was less intensively studied thanthat of Dutch and German New Guinea(White, 1923: 8). It is not surprising, there­fore, that, until recently, little attention waspaid to the phytochemical resources of whatis now known as the Territory of Papua-NewGuinea. By contrast, active botanical researchincluding chemistry and 'pharmacology oftropical plants was undertaken at Bogor(Buitenzorg) beginning in 1888 (Koolhaas,1945: 207). In addition to limited timber­milling, exploitation of coconut (copra) andsugar cane (for· propagation) nearly sum­marises European interest in the resources ofthe New Guinea flora.

So far, there has been no commercial de­velopment of an indigenous New Guineaplant as a pharmaceutic agent although thenative peoples of the Territory, in commonwith those of other lands, possess hundredsof reputed remedies of plant origin. This em­pirical information has not been systematic­ally recorded, although noteworthy attemptshave been made by some interested mission­aries and administration officials. Tropicalcountries, such as Africa and South America,with rich rain forest floras, have contributed

1 Division of Plant Industry, Commonwealth Scien­tific and Industrial Research Organization, Brisbane,Australia. Manuscript received February 23, 1955.

several notable plant drugs to world medicine,e.g., quinine, cocaine, and curare. The failureof New Guinea (as well as Australia) to providea similar array of useful drugs may be due toits comparatively late contact with moderntechnology, and to economic factors.

An Australian Phytochemical Survey, be­gun in the latter part of World War II, re­vealed many new and potentially valuablealkaloids, saponins, pigments, antibiotics,and other compounds of chemical interest(Webb, 1953). The tropical and subtropicalrain forests of eastern Queensland and north­ern New South Wales yielded proportionatelymore species with alkaloids than did otherplant formations. Their specific diversity,andthe large quantities of bark and other materialavailable for analysis from the dominant treeflora, make the rain forests an attractive sam­ple reservoir for organic chemists. Many of thealkaloid-bearing families, such as Rutaceae,Lauraceae, Loganiaceae, Monimiaceae, Me­nispermaceae, Apocynaceae (Webb, 1952a),are characteristic inhabitants of the tropics,and are well represented in New Guinea.

This prompted a recommendation to theCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Re­search Organization from the Third AustralianPhytochemical Conference held in Sydney inMay, 1951, that a brief reconnaissance of NewGuinea phytochemical resources and facilitiesbe made, to serve as a basis for a later moreintensive survey, e.g., in conjunction with theLand Research and Regional Survey Section

430

- - ------------------------ - ----. -- -----_.._._------------------------

Phytochemical Survey of Papua - WEBB

(C.S.I.R.O.). This recommendation was ap­proved and the writer and Dr. C. Barnard(Division of Plant Industry, C.S.I.R.O.) spentAugust and September, 1951, in various partsof the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.Lowland areas near Port Moresby, Popon­detta, Lae, and Rabaul, and highland areas atWau, Aiyura, and Nondugl, were selected asrepresentative plant communities, accessiblewithin the brief itinerary planned. Colonel J.K. Murray, then Administrator of the Terri­tory of Papua-New Guinea, and _other ad­ministration officials were responsible fortransport and accommodation arrangements.

Following the stimulus to interested peopleprovided by this trip, and a subsequent appeal(Webb, 1952b), several plants reputed to benative remedies were received from NewGuinea. Some of these are active pharma­cologically and are being examined further.Among these are possible antibi0tics andplants reputed to cause temporary sterility inwomen. Alkaloids in species of Rutaceae andMonimiaceae have been characterized also.

METHODS

The short time in the field was obviouslyinadequate for systematic collecting and test­ing. Nevertheless, a fairly wide coverage wasobtained of species common in each area. Inthe field, the procedure was to identify theplant, at least to family kvel, and if possibleto genus. Because of the hurried nature ofthe trip, no effort was made to collect com­plete herbarium specimens, although smallwood samples were obtained wherever possi­ble. Thus specific identification of relativelyfew specimens was sacrificed for coverage ofa greater number of plants, many of whichwere identified with certainty at the genericlevel only. Together with the 300 samplesactually collected for spot-testing, and plantstasted or otherwise rejected at sight in thefield, over 600 different species of angio­sperms were examined, chiefly for alkaloids,during the trip.

431

Once the botanical affinities of a plant wereknown, its promise as a source of alkaloids,saponins, etc., could be judged to some ex­tent, on the basis of experience in the Aus­tralian Phytochemical Survey. Tasting ofbark, seeds, etc. was freely used as a guide(although certain inimical families such asAnacardiaceae were not tested in this way).For example, bitterness in Lauraceae, particu­larly if a Cryptocarya, would suggest alkaloids.Bitterness in Rhamnaceae, on the other hand,indicates that saponins are likely to be pres­ent. With practice, alkaloids and saponinsmay sometimes be differentiated by tastealone. Other field criteria such as colour ofinner bark were used in certain cases. Thus,vivid yellow inner bark in Evodia, Acronychiaor Melicope (Rutaceae) supplements the evi­dence of bitterness that alkaloids (e.g., acri­dones) may be present.

If, in terms of the above criteria, the plantwas considered of chemical interest, smallsamples of bark, wood, and leaves (andflowers or fruits if available) were collected.These samples, with the exception of wood,were preserved in envelopes (5 X 8 in.)pressed flat, in large sealed tins (2 gal. capac­ity) containing silica gel. In addition, con­firmatory chemical tests (d., Webb 1949,1952a) were made at field headquarters ofpromising alkaloid plants. About 25 specieswere then (while in each area) collected inbulk (av. 10-20 lbs.) for detailed analysis inAustralia. Air-drying and silica gel preserva­tion were used for these samples. About 300small samples (serving both for identificationand chemical testing) were collected.

In Brisbane, samples were tested for alka­loids, using both hydrochloric acid and Prol­lius extracts, according to the methods out­lined by Webb (1949, 1952a).

Plants were tested for saponins by the so­called froth test. The finely chopped materialwas boiled with water, cooled, and shaken.The production of a stable, characteristic"honeycomb" froth indicates the presence ofsaponin (cf., Dunstan, 1948).

432

The Liebermann-Burchard test was used todetect the presence of polycyclic substances.A small amount of dried, finely choppedmaterial was treated, on a white spotting tile,with a few drops of acetic anhydride, thenwith 1-2 drops of concentrated sulphuricacid. Triterpenoids (in dicotyledons) givepurple and pink colours, which are morepersistent than the blue shades suggestive ofsteroids (chieRy in monocotyledons).

If both froth and Liebermann-Burchardtests, or froth test only, are positive, saponinis probably present. If only Liebermann­Burchard test is positive, then a free poly­cyclic substance may be present (Duristan,1948).

Samples were also· tested for aluminiumaccumulation, using the method of Chenery(1948), and the results are published else­where (Webb, 1954).

In addition, other features of the plantssuch as presence of essential oils, foetid smell(e.g., methyl mercaptan), and pigments werenoted. As specific tests were not applied, thesedata have been omitted.

Samples of reputed medicinal plants werecollected for identification also, and this in­formation will be published elsewhere.

For convenience, the families in Table 1are arranged alphabetically. Brief comments,in terms of the Australian survey, are madeconcerning the phytochemical promise ofeachgroup. As specific identifications were notalways possible, only the genus is given.Native names were noted for some of theplants and are given in Table 1 following thelocality, in parentheses. The native names arein quotation marks followed by the name ofthe dialect. These are spelled phonetically,using the conventions of pidgin English (cf.,Murphy, 1949). They are included with dif­fidence, but may serve, together with locality,to particularize the plants collected.

DISCUSSION

It is evident that numerous species of NewGuinea Rowering plants are worthy of de-

PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. IX, October, 1955

TABLE 2SUMMARY OF SPOT-TEST RESULTS

ALKALOID FROTH LB FROTH & TOTAL

LB TESTED

Species .. 27 18 41 17 295Genera .. 19 17 32 16 214Families. 9 13 23 10 78

Alkaloids in 9 per cent. saponins in 12 per cent. free triter­penoids or steroids 14 per cent.

tailed examination for alkaloids, saponins,pigments, cyanogenetic glycosides and othercompounds. The present brief survey did notreveal any alkaloid-bearing families addi­tional to those found in the Australian survey(Webb, 1953: 44). Additional genera contain­ing alkaloids were found, however. Manypositive genera have species endemic to NewGuinea which should be systematically tested.The complexity of the Rora requires search by,and co-operation with, experienced system­atic botanists. Also, sampling of quadrats ofadequate area (preferably several hectares), inwhich all species are differentiated, with theaid of competent natives if botanists are notavailable, would provide both useful phyto­chemical and ecological data. The relativeinaccessibility of most areas of New Guinearequires special provision for on-the-spot dry­ing of bulk samples for analysis, which shouldthen be transported in air-tight containers.Record of authentic native name and dialectof the particular species facilitates further col­lections when a botanist is not in the area.

The Standing Committee of Pacific Botany,Pacific Science Association, formed a sub­committee on Medicinal Plants in 1953(Chairman: Professor It. Kusnoto Setyodi­wiryo). Also, the Pan Indian Ocean ScientificCongress held in Perth, West Australia, in1954, discussed the organization of a jointdrug plants survey. It is hoped that thesepractical efforts will result in a systematic,and long overdue, inventory of the plantproducts of the Indo-Malaysian region northof Australia.

TABLE 1

SUMMARY OF SPOT-TESTS OF PAPUA-NEW GUINEA PLANTS

(alk-alkaloid; froth-saponin; LB-Liebermann-Burchard test for polycyclic compounds; neg-all tests negative)

',1

·1

FAMILY AND GENUS

AcanthaceaeGraptophyllum .

AmaryllidaceaeCrinum .

AnacardiaceaeBuchanania .~ang~era .

AnnonaceaeCananga .Goniothalamus .Polyalthia? .

ApocynaceaeAlstonia . ..

Cerbera . ..Ervatamia .

Ichnocarpus .Rejoua .Voacanga .Tribe Echitidae .

AquifoliaceaeIlex .

AraliaceaeBoerlagiodendron? .spp .

AristolochiaceaeAristolochia . ....

AsclepiadaceaeDischidia .~arsdenia .

LOCALITY

Sogeri

Malahang

Popondetta ("Siruga"-Orakaiva)Malahang

YaluLaePopondetta ("Koro" -Orakaiva)

Lae, Aiyura (" lonna"-Gasup)

LaeLaloki R., Eilogo, Yalu

BisinumuLaeEilogoYalu

Wau, Nondugl ("Kamlins")

LaeMalahang ("Sangara"), Aiyura ("Baki"-Gasup)

Malahang, Popondetta ("Holo"-Orakaiva)

BisinumuAiyura ("Zunana"-Gasup)

RESULTS

It neg

1 alk

1 neg1 neg

1 alk (trace)1 neg1 alk (trace)

2 alk, LB

1 neg3 alk, 1 LB

1 neg1 alk, LB1 alk1 LB

1 froth, LB

1 froth, LB

2 alk (roots)

1 LB2 neg

COMMENTS

Alkaloids likely in other spp.

No alkaloid promise; Semecarpus spp.have vesicant saps

Australian members not promising butmore tropical New Guinea spp. worthsystematic tests, including seeds

All spp. have alkaloids; triterpenesworth checking

Seeds have cardiac glycosideLimited Australian experience suggests

alks. relatively intractable

The family is worthy of examination fortriterpenoids; several other alkaloidalNew. Guinea spp. are available, e.g.,~elodinus and Ochrosia

This family is not ~ell representedlocally

A family of great saponin interest, e.g.,Polyscias, Sche/llera

Cardiac glycosides in this family

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FAMILY AND GENUS LOCALITY

TABLE l-(Continued)

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COMMENTS

A characreristic group of lirtle chemicalinreresr on presenr standards

A small family in which unusual poly­cyclic bodies maybe expecred tooccur

Yellow pigmenr of bark and fruitsworth checking

Biner principles also occur in rhis some­times roxic family

A well-represenred family of apparentlylittle chemical inrerest on presenrsrandards

Sreroid sapogenins probable

Yellow pigmenrs of bark and leavesworth checking

Some Australian spp. conrain alkaloidsand are toxic

RESULTS

1 LB, 1 neg

1 LB

1 neg1 neg

3 neg1 froth

1 LB, 2 neg1 neg2 neg

1 LB

1 LB1 neg

1 LB, 1 neg

1 frorh

1 froth (rrace)

1 LB, 2 neg

1 neg

1 neg

1 neg

1 froth, LB

Aiyura ("Narngkunda" & "Vinarka" -Gasup)Nondugl ("Wiyak")Nondugl ("Kuma," "Yak")

Popondena (? "Garawa" -=--Orakaiva)Eilogo

Bisinumu, Aiyura ("Yohin"-Gasup)Lae

Malahang ("Kunu")

Wau, Nondugl ("Bunyum")

Wau, Nondugl ("Umbwam")

Lae

Lae

LaeMalahang ("Tipepei")

ElaeocarpaceaeElaeocarptts ..

*Sp..Ericaceae

Rhododendron .

D illeniaceaeDillenia .Tetracera .

DioscoreaceaeDioscorea .

D ipterocarpaceaeAnisoptera. . .Hopea .

EbenaceaeDiosPYI·OS. ..

CunoniaceaeOpoCttnonia .Pttllea . ..Spp..

DatiscaceaeOctomeles .

CucurbitaceaeSp.....

BurseraceaeCanarittm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Lae, Aiyura ("Iampeika" -Gasup)

ChloranrhaceaeAscarina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Nondugl ("Manggyi")

CombreraceaeTerminalia. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Popondena ("Kauja" -Orakaiva)

BarringtoniaceaeBarringtonia. . . . . . . . . . . . .. Sogeri

BignoniaceaeDolichandrone. . . . . . . . . . .. Malahang

BoraginaceaeHeliotropittm. . . . . . . . . . . . .. Laloki R.

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EscalloniaceaeCarpodetus .Quintinia .

*Sp .Euphorbiaceae

Antidesma .*Aporosa .Baccaurea .Breynia , .. , ,Bride/ia, , ..Endospermum .Glochidion ..Macaranga .Mallotus .Pimeleodendron.Spp ,. ,Sect. Crotonoideae ...

FagaceaeCastanopsis , .. , .Lithocarpus. , .Nothofagus.Pasania. , , .

Polypodiaceae.Cyclosorus. ,

FlacourtiaceaePangium, ...

·Spp....Gesneriaceae

Cyrtandra .. ,Gnetaceae

Gnetum, , .

GuttiferaeCalophyllum.Garcinia.

HimantandraceaeGalbulimima ..

Icacinaceae*Platea ...*Tylecarpus?Sp..

Nondugl ("Kwong")Aiyura ("Amorpandu" -Gasup)

Wau, AiyuraAiyuraLaeMalahang, Nondugl ("Bergu")Popondecca ("Horogo" -Orakaiva)YaluLae, Wau, Nondugl ("Kiliman")Malahang, Nondugl ("Kuma")Malahang ("Kiauya")LaeAiyura ("Kuwan"-Gasup), Keravat, SogeriAiyura ("Bwakei" -Gasup), Popondecca ("Korina"­

Orakaiva)

EilogoAiyura ("Ortna" -Gasup)Nondugl ("Karap")Wau, Aiyura ("Yanuna"-Gasup), Nondugl ("Nongi")

Malahang ("Balum")

Yalu, Sogeri, Popondecca ("Puga" -Orakaiva)Nondugl ("Dolbot"), Popondetta ("Bareha" -Orakaiva)

Aiyura

Bisinumu, Lae ("Ara")

Aiyura ("Wandanamu" -Gasup)Zenag, Nondugl ("Kitan"), Popondetta("Susumi" and "Kaimusa"-Orakaiva)

Aiyura ("Orfum"-Gasup)

Aiyura ("Ukuko" -Gasup)Popondecca ("Siganapa" -Orakaiva)Nondugl (? "Wi")

1 alk?1 LB1 froth

2 neg1 neg1 neg2 neg1 neg1 neg1 froth, 1 neg2 neg1 neg1 LB6 neg

1 froth, 1 neg

1 froth, LB1 froth1 froth1 froth, LB, 1 neg

1 neg

1 neg2 neg

1 LB

1 alk (trace)ftoth (ttace)

1 neg1 froth, LB2 neg

1 alk

1 LB1 neg1 neg

A large group, certainly of negligiblealkaloid interest; triterpenes and pro­teolytic enzymes may be expected insome latex-bearing spp.

Yellow pig~ent

Two other spp. are recorded, and alka­loids would be expected

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FAMILY AND GENUS

TuglandaceaeEngelhardtia ..

LauraceaeActinodaphne _ .Cassytha . ..Cinnamomum .Cryptocarya .

Endiandra .Litsea .

Pseudocryptocarya .

LeguminosaeAlbizia .Archidendron .Crotalaria .Inocarpus .Manittoa .Piptadenia . ..•...........Pongamia .Pterocarpus .

*Spp .Liliaceae

Cordyline .Dracaena .

LoganiaceaeCouthovia .

Geniostoma? .·Pagraea .Strychnos .

LycopodiaceaeLycopodium .

MagnoliaceaeElmerrillia .

*Malvaceae(?)Sp .

TABLE l-(Continued)

LOCALITY

Eilogo

LaeMalahangZenag, Wau, Popondetta ("Saruka" -Orakaiva)Bisinumu, Aiyura ("Berpa" -Gasup)

AiyuraLae, Aiyura ("Bwa"-Gasup), Nondugl ("Nimbyilth"),

Sogeri, Popondetta ("Okumba" -Orakaiva)Aiyura ("Antnu" -Gasup)

BisinumuLae, Aiyura ("Morkaia" -Gasup)NonduglLaeLaeLaeLaeLae ("Yomisa")Keravat, Popondetta ("Haruma"-Orakaiva)

Malahang ("Si")Eilogo

Laloki R., Sogeri, Popondetta (? "Paigarumba"-Orakaiva)

WauSogeriWau

Nondugl

Eilogo

Nondugl ("Kop")

RESULTS

1 neg

1 alk1 alk2 neg5 neg

1 neg

1 alk? 5 neg1 alk

1 froth2 neg1 neg1 neg1 neg1 alk?1 froth1 froth3 neg

1 neg1 froth

1 LB, 1 neg1 neg1 LB1 alk (trace)

1 neg

1 alk (trace)

1 alk (trace)

COMMENTS

Alkaloids possible in some spp.; over30 spp. of Cryptocarya are recorded

But triterpenes worth checkingVery closely related to the vesicant

alkaloid-containing Cryptocarya pleu­rosperma of North Queensland

Alkaloid likely in some spp.

Possible steroidal; sapogenins

Alkaloid worth following up, althoughAustralian members negative

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Alkaloid occurs mainly in root-barkMany other spp., all probably alka­

loidal, are recorded

Several other New Guinea genera wonhtrying for alkaloid, e.g., Anthobembix,Lauterbachia

Pigments of fruits worth checking

Leaves and fruits cyanogenetic

2 neg

1 alk1 alk2 alk

3 neg1 neg

3 neg1 froth2 neg2 alk? 1 froth, 1 LB,1 neg1 neg1 froth, 1 neg

1 neg1 neg1 neg1 alk1 neg

1 neg1 LB, 2 neg2 neg

1 neg2 neg

1 neg2 LB

1 froth (trace)

1 froth, 2 LB, 2 neg

1 neg

1 froth (trace)

Wau, Sogeri, Popondecca ("Harei" -Orakaiva)Nondugl ("Ongguna")LaeLae, Wau, Aiyura, Poponderca ("Sera" -Orakaiva)

AiyuraAiyura (? "Ohya" -Gasup)

Wau, Edie, Ck., Popondecca ("Ahura" -Orakaiva)Nondugl ("Yiinbi")

WauYaluSogeri, Poponderra

KeravatLae, Aiyura ("Koona"-Gasup), PopondettaMalahang ("Anda," "Mogi"), Aiyura ("Koiya"-Gasup)

LaeNondugl ("Kopul")WauAiyura ("Anonya" -Gasup), Nondugl ("Korin")Wau

Lae, Wau

Nondugl ("Tambanei")Lae, Aiyura ("Monu" & "Baiyuka"-Gasup), Nondugl

("Nantz"), Popondecca

LaeLae, Nondugl ("Gabnyas")Aiyura ("Narmpararu" -Gasup), Poponderca (? "Foren';

-Orakaiva)

MelasromacaceaeAIJtronia .Sp .

MeliaceaeAglaia 0 ••

Cedrela .ChiJocheton .DYJoxylttm .

• Walmra? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spp o.

MenispermaceaeLegnephora .Stephania 0 ••

Spp 0

MonimiaceaeHedycarya .Kibara 0 •••• 0.0 ••

•Matthaea? .Dryadodaphne 0 ••

Sp .

MoraceaeAntiariJ .ArtocarpttJ 0 ••••• 0 •

FiCttJ .

MyriscicaceaeHorJfieidia 0 ••••• 0 •

MyriJtica .Sp 0 •••

MyrsinaceaeMaeJa 0 •••••••••

Rapanea .

MynaceaeOctomyrtttJ . ..•...........Syzygittm .

OchnaceaeBrackenridgea. . . . • . . . . . .. Eilogo

OlacaceaeXimenia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Popondetta ("Babuso" -Orakaiva)

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FAMILY AND GENUS

OleaceaeLinociera .Spp .

OxalidaceaeOxalis .

PeripterygiaceaePeripterygium .

PiperaceaePiper .

PittosporaceaePittosporum .

ProteaceaeGrevillea .Ileficia .

RhamnaceaeEmmenosperma .

RosaceaePygeum .

RubiaceaeAnthocephalus .Gardenia .Ixora .Mastixiodendron .Morinda .Mussaenda .~eonaucka .Opercularia? .Pavetta ..Paederia ..Randia .

Tarenna .Timonius .Uncaria .UVendlandia .Spp .

TABLE l-(Continued)

LOCALITY

AiyuraAiyura (? "Ohbiya"-Gasup)

Nondugl

Malahang

Lae, Yalu, Wau

Edie Ck., Zenag, Aiyura (? "Aratna"-Gasup), Nondugl("Milyun"), Sogeri

Nondugl ("Kwimat")Nondugl ("Kimbront," "Arilt")

Popondetta ("Saraimbu"-Orakaiva)

Lae, Nondugl ("Bulnbat")

Yalu, PopondettaLaloki R, Zenag, Nondugl ("Bulus")LaeAiyuraMalahang ("Toon")Bisinumu, YaluLaeAiyura ("Malonka"-Gasup)Laloki RRabaulLae, Aiyura ("Opu"-Gasup), Popondetta ("Hara"-

Orakaiva)EilogoZenagEilogoWauLae, Aiyura ("Sinakario"-Gasup), Nondugl ("Misik"

& "Topnam"), Popondetta

RESULTS

1 neg, 1 alk (trace)1 neg

1 neg

1 neg

3 neg

3 froth, 3 LB2 neg

1 neg3 neg

1 froth

1 LB

1 alk (trace)1 froth, 3 LB1 neg1 alk?1 neg2 neg1 neg1 neg1 alk (trace)1 neg

1 alk, 2 neg1 LB1 LB1 alk (trace)1 neg1 alk? 1 froth1 LB, 4 neg

COMMENTS

Bark cyanogenetic

So far, a disappointing family for alka·loids

Foerid, probably merhyl mercaptan

Foetid, probably methyl mercaptan

Alkaloid may be unstable

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RutaceaeAeronyehia .Evodia .

Ffinderua .Glyeosmis .Halfordia .Melieope .Zanthoxylum.

SapindaceaeAllophylus .Arytera. . .Ganophyllum .Pometia .Tristiropsis .Spp.... . .

Sapotaceae*Ohrysophyllum .Palaquium , .Planehonella .

SaurauiaceaeSaurauia .

SimaroubaceaeAilanthus? .Pierasma. . . . . .

SterculiaceaeCommersonia ..Pteroeymbium: .

SymplocaceaeSymploeos? . . . . .

TheaceaeGordoffia. . .Ternstroemia.

*Sp .Thymelaeaceae

Phaleria.Trimeniaceae

Trimenia . ..Urticaceae

Laportea .Leueosyke.Sp .

Aiyura, Garoka, Aiyura ("Durp")Bisinumu, Eilogo, Lae, Zenag, Wau, Edie Crk., Aiyura

("Ohday" -Gasup), PopondettaWau .Laloki RAiyuraWau, Nondugl ("Liling")Aiyura ("Amuka" -Gasup)

LaeSogeriLaeYalu, Popondetta ("Hoijanu" -Orakaiva)LaeLae, Aiyura, Nondugl ("Yimyih"), Popondetta

("Umbupu" -Orakaiva)

Popondetta ("Djirihu" -Orakaiva)Lae .Lae, Aiyura ("Iapa" -Gasup), Popondetta ("Tiga" and

"Jipapa"-Orakaiva)

Lae, Aiyura ("Kasu" -Gasup)

Popondetta ("Jandopupa" -Orakaiva)Popondetta ("Haisipa" -Orakaiva)

LaeYalu

Nondugl ("Miny-am")

Nondugl ("Kauragu" and "Kapakup")Popondetta ("Sisingi" -Orakaiva)Nondugl (? "Gaindu")

Lae

Edie Ck.

YaluLaeMalahang ("Kavisa," "Salat")

4 neg

2 alk, 7 neg1 neg1 alk1 alk2 neg1 neg

2 neg1 froth1 froth1 froth, LB1 froth, LB

2 froth, LB, 3 neg

1 neg1 neg

2 LB, 2 neg

1 neg

1 neg1 alk?

1 neg1 neg

1 froth, LB

1 froth, LB1 froth, f;.B1 neg

1 neg

1 neg

1 neg1 neg1 neg

Numerous other New Guinea spp. worthtrying for alkaloids; abour 18 Aero­nyehia, 57 Evodia, and 23 Melieope spp.are recorded

A family of obvious· saponin interest

Latex of these spp. may be attractive to

triterpene chemists

Bark very bitter

Bark very bitter

Has irritant stinging hairs

~'<

~S[en~<:~o.....'"d~CP'

I~~

..l>-­\J>\0

I

Alkaloids probably present in bark and leaves of Erythroxylon spp.Hernandia papuana bark probably alkaloidal .

*Determinarions based on wood only.t Numerals refer to the number of species tested.

if"

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I'I'wl!".iij.i'~1<:~.illi~I

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J~

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FAMILY AND GENUS

VacciniaceaeAgapetes .Vaccinium .

*Spp .Verbenaceae

Callicarpa .Gmelina .Vitex .

Family UnplacedSpp , .

Families not tested, but ofinterest:Erythtoxylaceae .Hernandiaceae .

TABLE l-(Continued)

LOCALITY

WauWauNondugl ("Kapikap")

Lae, ZenagAiyura ("Kauia" -Gasup)Popondetta ("Sisaru" -Orakaiva)

RESULTS

1 LB1 LB, froth (trace)1 LB

1 neg, 1 LB1 froth1 LB

2 LB, 2 neg

COMMENTS

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Phytochemical Survey of Papua - WEBB

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Officials of the Administration of Papua­New Guinea are thanked for their valuableco-operation during the trip. Special mentionshould be made of Mr. J. B. McAdam, Di­rector of Forests, and Mr. J. S. Womersley,Forest Botanist, for field assistance and bo­tanical advice; and Mr. R. E. P. Dwyer, Di­rector of Agriculture, for his interest in thecollection of native medicines. Dr. H. E.Dadswell, Division of Forest Products, C.S.

·I.R.O., Melbourne, kindly identified woodsamples, while generous advice was receivedfrom Mr. 1. S. Smith of Queensland Herba­rium, Brisbane, in the identification of leafmaterial. The assistance of Miss P. McArthurand Mr. J. G. Tracey, of the Division ofPlant Industry, C.S.I.R.O., Brisbane, in thelaboratory spot-tests, is gratefully acknowl­edged.

REFERENCES

CHENERY, E. M. 1948. Aluminium in theplant world. 1. Kew Bul. 2: 173-183.

DUNSTAN, W. J. Ms. The saponins of someAustralian Plants. M. Sc. Thesis, Universityof Sydney [1948].

441

KOOLHAAS, D. R. 1945. Half a century ofphytochemical research. In Science andScientists in the Netherlands Indies. [Honigand F. Verdoorn, eds.] xxiv + 491 pp.,134 figs. Board for the Netherlands Indies,Surinam and Cura~ao, New York.

MURPHY, J. J. 1949. The book of pidginEnglish. 164 pp. Smith & Paterson, Bris­bane.

WHITE, C. T. 1923. A contribution to ourknowledge of the flora of Papua (BritishNew Guinea). Roy. Soc. Queensland, Proc.34: 5-65.

WEBB, 1. J. 1949. An Australian Phytochem­ical Survey. 1. Austral., C.S.I.R.O., Bul. 241:1-56.

--- 1952a. An Australian PhytochemicalSurvey. II. Austral., C.S.I.R.O., Bul. 268:1-99.

--- 1952b. An appeal for plant drugs fromNew Guinea. So. Pacific 6 (4): 358-9.

--- 1953. Alkaloid potentialities of theAustralian flora. Austral. Inst. Agr. Sci.,Jour. 19 (3): 144-157.

--- 1954. Aluminium accumulation in theAustralian-New Guinea flora. Austral. Jour.Bot. 2 (2): 176-196.