Parthenium hysterophorus
Wild wormwood
Parthenium hysterophorus, commonly known as Parthenium weed or Congress grass, is a highly invasive annual herb native to the Americas. While it poses significant threats to biodiversity and human health through allergic reactions, it holds medicinal potential in traditional practices for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties.
- Scientific name: Parthenium hysterophorus
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is further categorized into the family Asteraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Parthenium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Parthenium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Parthenium hysterophorus, is known by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 银胶菊 (zh-hans, zh, zh-hk) or 銀膠菊 (zh-hant). In the Punjabi language, it is commonly called ਗਾਜਰ ਘਾਹ (pa).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 银胶菊 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 銀膠菊 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 銀膠菊 | Wikidata |
| zh | 银胶菊 | Wikidata |
| pa | ਗਾਜਰ ਘਾਹ | Wikidata |
| hi | गाजर घास | Wikidata |
| ml | കോൺഗ്രസ് പുല്ല് | Wikidata |
| pnb | گاجر گھاہ | Wikidata |
| ta | காங்கிரஸ் களை | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 銀膠菊 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans multiple continents and climate zones. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented in countries such as Germany and Poland. Moving toward the Atlantic, it is also found within the Macaronesian region, specifically in Cape Verde. Its range extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it inhabits parts of Eritrea. Additionally, the species is widely distributed across the Ethiopian highlands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Parthenium weed, is a highly invasive species characterized by several distinct anatomical structures. The aerial parts of the plant are prominently visible, consisting of an upright growth habit that can reach significant heights. Its stem is typically branched and can vary from green to a reddish hue, providing structural support for the foliage. The leaves are deeply lobed and serrated, playing a crucial role in the plant's rapid growth and photosynthetic capacity. The reproductive cycle is driven by the flower, which appears as small, white, discoid heads arranged in clusters. Finally, the roots form a robust system that allows the plant to anchor itself firmly and spread effectively through the soil, contributing to its status as a persistent medicinal and environmental weed.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Parthenium hysterophorus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include parthenin, polyphenols, terpenes, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| parthenin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| terpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Parthenium hysterophorus has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimalarial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Parthenium hysterophorus has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dermatitis, C. parapsilosis, Citrobacter, amoebic dysentery, anti-malarial.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| dermatitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| C. parapsilosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Citrobacter | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amoebic dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-malarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |