Crassocephalum crepidioides

Gynura crepidioides

Crassocephalum crepidioides, commonly known as the "shaggy herb," is a versatile medicinal plant found across tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally utilized to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and inflammation. This botanical specimen offers significant pharmacological potential for modern integrative medicine and herbal remedies.

  • Scientific name: Crassocephalum crepidioides
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus name Crassocephalum.

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

Common Names

This plant, Crassocephalum crepidioides, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 野茼蒿 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and the Cantonese variant used in Hong Kong (zh-hk). In Indonesia, the plant is widely recognized by its local name Sintrong (id), while in Japan, it is called ベニバナボロギク (ja).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 野茼蒿 Wikidata
zh-hant 野茼蒿 Wikidata
zh-hk 野茼蒿 Wikidata
id Sintrong Wikidata
ja ベニバナボロギク Wikidata
zh 野茼蒿 Wikidata
ml അപ്പൂപ്പൻതാടി Wikidata
th ผักกาดช้าง Wikidata
zh-tw 昭和草 Wikidata
su Sintrong Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Within this geographical zone, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also well-documented across the territories of Ghana and Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Ivory Coast. Finally, it is known to inhabit parts of Liberia.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Liberia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Senegal WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West Tropical Africa Togo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Crassocephalum crepidioides, possesses various morphological features that are utilized in traditional medicine. The stem is typically erect and can vary in height, providing the structural support necessary for the plant to thrive in disturbed habitats. The leaf morphology is distinctive, often being deeply lobed or pinnatifid, which aids in efficient photosynthesis. While the plant primarily reproduces through its winged seed dispersed by the wind, certain varieties may also utilize a rhizome or similar underground structures to facilitate vegetative spreading and survival in the soil.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
seed 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizome 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Crassocephalum crepidioides has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isochlorogenic acid, abscisic acid (ABA), jacobine, quercetin.

Total chemicals
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Isochlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
abscisic acid (ABA) 1 ★☆☆☆☆
jacobine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Crassocephalum crepidioides has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Free-Radical Scavenging, Hepatoprotective.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Free-Radical Scavenging 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Crassocephalum crepidioides has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Sarcoma 180, drought, heat stress, hyperglycemia, tumor.

Total uses
5
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Sarcoma 180 1 ★☆☆☆☆
drought 1 ★☆☆☆☆
heat stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hyperglycemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆