Euodia hortensis J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Zodia (Euodia hortensis) is a shrub or small tree 50-200 cm tall from the Rutaceae family, a plant endemic to Papua that now also grows in Java as a yard and boundary-marker plant. For generations, Papuan communities have rubbed its leaves over the body to repel mosquitoes, while in Sentani zodia is used as a body odor remover and stamina tonic. Zodia is also used as a liniment for colds.

The zodia plant can usually be found growing in thickets, lowland forests, fallow forests, and tree clusters. This species grows well at elevations of 400-2,000 m asl. In its growth, zodia prefers open areas with full sun, but also succeeds under partial shade. Moist, well-drained soil conditions are preferred by this plant, and zodia's water requirement level is in the moderate range.

• Roots taproot.
• Stem woody, small.
• Leaves single, opposite, lanceolate shape, flat and long but flexible, wavy leaf margin (undulate) and pointed at the leaf tip and base, somewhat yellowish-green colored, smooth and glossy leaf surface, pinnate venation, fragrantly scented, and bitter tasting.
• Flowers hermaphroditic, compound, emerging from the stalk tip and leaf axils. Petals numbering 4, ovate shaped, yellowish-white color. Flower arrangement is panicle-shaped, one panicle consists of five to dozens of florets. Emits a fragrant aroma disliked by mosquitoes.
• Fruit ovate shaped, young green and turning brown when old, and containing four seeds.
• Seeds ovate shaped, small, glossy black.

Plant propagation is done generatively (seeds) as well as vegetatively (stem cuttings).

Essential oil (evodiamine, rutaecarpine, linalool, α-pinene, caryophyllene, alpha-copaene, arcucumene), menthofuran, evodone, hortensol, berberine, furoquinoline, acridone alkaloids.

Addresses toothache, canker sores, stomach ache, headache, earache, dysentery, pneumonia, kills cancer cells, treats testicular swelling, bruises, relieves labor pain, relieves colds, reduces malaria fever, treats diseases with symptoms of yellow eyes and yellow urine, seizures in children, a tonic to increase body stamina, relieves itching from mosquito bites, removes bad breath, a liniment to treat colds. Has anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue (promoting menstrual blood flow), antimalarial, anti-mosquito, and laxative activity.

No information found. Further research needed.