Chuquiraga jussieui
Chuquiraga juscieui, commonly known as "Chuquiragua," is a resilient shrub native to the high-altitude Andean paramo. Renowned in traditional Ecuadorian medicine, this "flower of the Andes" is prized for its antioxidant properties. It is frequently used in herbal infusions to support kidney health and alleviate urinary tract infections.
- Scientific name: Chuquiraga jussieui
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is specifically identified by the genus Chuquiraga.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Chuquiraga | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Chuquiraga jussieui, is recognized by several distinct common names across different linguistic and cultural contexts. In the Quechua language, it is referred to as Chukirawa and Ch'ana, reflecting its deep roots in Andean tradition. In Spanish, it is widely known as Chuquiragua, but it is also poetically celebrated as Flor del caminante and Flor de los Andes, names that highlight its remarkable ability to thrive in the high-altitude landscapes of the mountain ranges.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| qu | Chukirawa | Wikidata |
| qu | Ch'ana | Wikidata |
| es | Chuquiragua | Wikidata |
| es | Flor del caminante | Wikidata |
| es | Flor de los Andes | Wikidata |
| es | Chuquirahua | Wikidata |
| es | Chuquiraga insignis | Wikidata |
| es | Chuquiraga lancifolia | Wikidata |
| es | Chuquiraga microphylla | Wikidata |
| es | Chuquiraga peruviana | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across the high-altitude regions of Western South America. It can be found growing within the mountainous landscapes of Colombia and Ecuador. Its presence extends further south into the diverse terrains of Peru. Additionally, the species occupies specific ecological niches located in Bolivia. Together, these locations define the primary geographical range of this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
Chemicals
Chuquiraga jussieui has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| carotenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vitamin C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |