camphorweed
Pluchea · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (6 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Camphorweed, scientifically known as Pluchea, is a diverse genus of flowering plants spanning tropical and subtropical regions. Renowned for its aromatic foliage and medicinal properties, various species are utilized in traditional healing to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments, offering significant pharmacological potential in modern botanical studies.
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- camphorweed
- fleabane
- marsh fleabanes
Scientific Names
Accepted name
PlucheaSynonyms
- Eremohylema
- Gynema
- Berthelotia
- Spiropodium
- Stylimnus
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Eyrea
- Gynema
- Monarrhenus
- Tecmarsis
- Berthelotia
- Gymnostyles
- Spiropodium
- Stylimnus
- Eremohylema
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
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 and the family Asteraceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Pluchea.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Pluchea |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented in both Egypt and Morocco. Its range extends into Macaronesia, where it can be found in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Furthermore, the species is situated within West Tropical Africa, specifically in Benin. Together, these locations highlight the plant's adaptability across various African and Atlantic environments.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt |
| Northern Africa | Morocco |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Activities
Pluchea has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Anticancer
- Chemistry & biodiversity
Antimicrobial
- Chemistry & biodiversity
Antinociceptive
- Chemistry & biodiversity
Antioxidant
- Chemistry & biodiversity
Cytotoxic
- Chemistry & biodiversity
Hepatoprotective
- Chemistry & biodiversity