Camptotheca


Camptotheca is a genus of medium-sized deciduous trees growing to tall, native to southern China and Tibet. The genus is usually included in the tupelo family Nyssaceae, but sometimes included in the dogwood family Cornaceae.
The name "happy tree" is a direct translation of the Chinese name xǐ shù.
There are two species:
  • Camptotheca acuminata Decne.
  • Camptotheca lowreyana S.Y.Li
The bark and stems of C. acuminata contain the alkaloid camptothecin. Several chemical derivatives of camptothecin are under investigation for or used as drugs for cancer treatment, including irinotecan, topotecan, rubitecan.
C. acuminata also contains the chemical compounds trifolin and hyperoside.