From stems and roots of Uncaria rynchophylla Miq. [Ourouparia rynchophylla (Miq.)] Matsum, Rubiaceae: Kondo et al., J. Pharm. Soc. Jpn. 48, 54 (1928); from Mitragyna rotundifolia (Roxb.), Rubiaceae: Barger et al., J. Org. Chem. 4, 418 (1939). Structure: Seaton, Marion, Can. J. Chem. 35, 1102 (1957); 38, 1035 (1960). Stereochemistry: Nozoye, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 6, 309 (1958); Ban, Oishi, Tetrahedron Lett. 1961, 791; eidem, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 11, 441, 446, 451 (1963). Partial synthesis: Finch, Taylor, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 84, 1318, 3871 (1962). Total synthesis: Ban et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1972, 2113.