Camptotheca acuminata

Camptotheca acuminata is a source of camptothecin chemicals, which have been tested for potential use as treatments for cancer and HIV.^[2] The modern chemotherapy drugs topotecan and irinotecan are derived from it, though now the molecules are produced in a lab environment rather than extracted from the leaves and bark of the tree.^[5] Because of this, it is sometimes called the "cancer tree".^[5]

In traditional Chinese medicine, the tree is called xǐ shù (Simplified Chinese:喜树) and was considered a relatively unimportant^[5] medicinal plant.^[2][5]

The tree is also grown for shade and ornamental value.^[5]

• Govaerts, R. (1999). World Checklist of Seed Plants 3(1, 2a & 2b): 1-1532. MIM, Deurne.
• Govaerts, R. (2003). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families Database in ACCESS: 1-216203. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
• Wu, Z., Raven, P.H. & Hong, D. (eds.) (2007). Flora of China 13: 1-548. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
• Wu Chi-Jun (1848). Zhi Wu Ming Shi Du Gao [Illustrated Investigations of the Names and Natures of Plants], Beijing.