Bidens alba

Bidenia alba, commonly known as Blackjack, is a resilient medicinal herb native to the Americas. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues. Its bioactive compounds offer significant potential for pharmacological research and natural healing remedies.

  • Scientific name: Bidens alba
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is further categorized into the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Bidens, specifically as the species Bidens alba.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Bidens WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Bidens alba, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Mandarin Chinese, it is called 白花鬼针草 (báihuā guǐzhēncǎo), while in Cantonese, it is known as 白花鬼針草. In the SZY dialect, the plant is called kalipudut, and in Japanese, it is identified as タチアワユキセンダングサ (tachiawayukisendangsusa). Additionally, in the Pwn language, it is referred to as ljavangas.
Language Common Name Source
zh 白花鬼针草 Wikidata
yue 白花鬼針草 Wikidata
szy kalipudut Wikidata
ja タチアワユキセンダングサ Wikidata
pwn ljavangas Wikidata
tay ragup mayta Wikidata
zh-cn 白花鬼针草 Wikidata
zh-tw 白花鬼針草 Wikidata
zh-hans 白花鬼针草 Wikidata
nan Tōa pe̍h-hoe kúi-chiam-chháu Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions of the world. In the Macaronesia region, it can be found specifically on the island of Madeira. Moving to Western Asia, its presence is noted in the East Aegean Islands as well as throughout the Lebanon-Syria area. Its range also extends into Eastern Asia, where it is located in the Kazan-retto region. Finally, the distribution includes the remote Ogasawara-shoto islands within the same eastern territory.

Region Area Source
Macaronesia Madeira WCVP
Western Asia East Aegean Is. WCVP
Western Asia Lebanon-Syria WCVP
Eastern Asia Kazan-retto WCVP
Eastern Asia Ogasawara-shoto WCVP
Malesia Philippines WCVP
Australia New South Wales WCVP
Australia Northern Territory WCVP
Australia Queensland WCVP
Australia South Australia WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as White Bidens, is a medicinal herb where various components offer different therapeutic benefits. The vibrant yellow flowers are a distinctive feature, often used in traditional remedies, while the green leaves are frequently studied for their bioactive compounds. The stems provide the structural support for the plant's growth, connecting the foliage to the nutrient-absorbing roots situated underground. In many medicinal preparations, the whole herb is utilized, ensuring that the synergistic effects of the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots are captured in a single treatment.
Total parts
5
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 2 ★☆☆☆☆
whole herb 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flowers 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Bidens alba has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include butein, chlorogenic acid, cytopiloyne, ethyl caffeate, flavonoid.

Total chemicals
15
Scientific sources
15

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
butein 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cytopiloyne 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ethyl caffeate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
linoleic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
luteolin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
myricetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Bidens alba has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Bidens alba has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, hypertension, pain.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertension 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆