''Fontainea picrosperma'', commonly known as the blushwood tree, is a rainforest tree in the family

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family. Most spurges, such as '' Euphorbia paralias'', are herbs, but some, ...

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

in Australia, where it grows on the Atherton Tablelands.

Uses

An anti-cancer drug known as

EBC-46 Tigilanol tiglate (United States Adopted Name, USAN; ), sold under the brand name Stelfonta is a medication used to treat dogs with non-metastatic, skin-based (cutaneous) mast cell tumors (MCTs). The FDA is also approving Stelfonta to treat non-me ...

has been developed from an extract of the fruits of ''Fontainea picrosperma''. Trials have shown that it has activity against four different types of tumours, including

basal-cell carcinoma Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as basal-cell cancer, is the most common type of skin cancer. It often appears as a painless raised area of skin, which may be shiny with small blood vessels running over it. It may also present as a raise ...

, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and breast adenocarcinoma. The fruits are toxic to humans if eaten.

References

picrosperma Trees of Australia Malpighiales of Australia Critically endangered flora of Australia Flora of Queensland {{rosid-tree-stub