Bidens andicola
Bidens andicola, commonly known as a traditional Andean medicinal herb, holds significant value in South American ethnobotany. Native to high-altitude regions, this plant is frequently utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, including inflammation and digestive issues, showcasing its profound importance in preserving indigenous healing knowledge and biodiversity.
- Scientific name: Bidens andicola
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Bidens andicola, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. It is further identified by its specific genus, Bidens.
| 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, Bidens andicola, is known by several different names depending on the region and the language spoken by its users. In the Quechua language, it is commonly referred to as Uchuq p'irka.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| qu | Uchuq p'irka | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several regions of South America. In Western South America, it can be found growing in the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. Its presence also extends through the territory of Peru within the same western region. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, the species is located in the northwest of Argentina. Collectively, these areas define the specific geographical range where the plant thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northwest | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bidens andicola, is primarily utilized for its medicinal properties through the use of its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which include the stems, leaves, and flowering heads, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic applications. By harvesting the aerial parts, practitioners can access the plant's essential phytochemicals, making it a key component in various traditional remedies.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bidens andicola has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include alpha-L-rhamnopyranose, beta-D-glucopyranose, beta-D-xylopyranose.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alpha-L-rhamnopyranose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-D-glucopyranose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-D-xylopyranose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |