butter daisy
Melampodium divaricatum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (5 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Butter daisy, scientifically known as Melampodium divaricatum, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its vibrant yellow blooms, this hardy plant is traditionally utilized in various herbal remedies. It is frequently employed to treat skin ailments, respiratory issues, and digestive complaints within indigenous healing practices.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Flowers
- Common names
- Gold Medallion
- Scientific synonyms
- Alcina Minor · Melampodium Rhombifolium · 18 more
Names
Common Names
- Gold Medallion
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- botón de oro
- Acahual amarillo
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Melampodium divaricatumSynonyms
- Alcina minor
- Melampodium rhombifolium
- Wedelia minor
- Wedelia ovatifolia
- Zarabellia rhomboidea
- Spilanthes guatemalensis
- Melampodium ovatifolium
- Dysodium radiatum
- Melampodium rhombifolium
- Melampodium copiosum
- Melampodium flaccidum
- Melampodium paludosum
- Melampodium panamense
- Melampodium pumilum
- Melampodium berteroanum
- Dysodium divaricatum
- Eleutheranthera divaricata
- Alcina ovalifolia
- Alcina ovatifolia
- Melampodium tenellum var. flaccidum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is identified by the genus Melampodium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Melampodium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in both Mauritius and the Seychelles. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, its range extends to the island nation of Sri Lanka. The species is also present in the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting Myanmar. Finally, its distribution continues through Indo-China into the country of Thailand.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Melampodium divaricatum, utilizes its flowers as a key component of its botanical structure and medicinal interest. These small, daisy-like flowers typically feature prominent central discs surrounded by delicate ray florets, which serve as a visual indicator of the plant's reproductive stage. In many traditional applications, the properties of the plant are studied through its various components, though the distinct appearance and biological activity of the flowers remain a defining characteristic of the species.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Melampodium divaricatum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROPHYLL, Triterpenes.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| CHLOROPHYLL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Triterpenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
CHLOROPHYLL
- Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA
Triterpenes
- Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA
Medicinal Uses
Melampodium divaricatum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, malaria.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| anti-inflammatory preparations | Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower extract | Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |