Sida acuta

Morning mallow

Sida acuta, commonly known as Bidens pilosa or blackjack, is a versatile medicinal herb found across tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, this plant possesses potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It is frequently utilized to treat wounds, skin infections, and various digestive ailments through its diverse bioactive compounds.

  • Scientific name: Sida acuta
  • Family: Malvaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, specifically within the family Malvaceae. Ultimately, Sida acuta is identified by its genus, Sida.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malvales WCVP
Family Malvaceae WCVP
Genus Sida WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Sida acuta, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 黄花稔 (zh) and 細葉金午時花 (zh-tw), while in Thailand, it is known as หญ้าขัดใบยาว (th). Its linguistic diversity extends to South Asia, where it is called বেড়েলা (bn) in Bengali and அரிவாள്மனை பூண்டு (ta) in Tamil.
Language Common Name Source
zh 黄花稔 Wikidata
th หญ้าขัดใบยาว Wikidata
bn বেড়েলা Wikidata
zh-tw 細葉金午時花 Wikidata
ta அரிவாள்மனை பூண்டு Wikidata
ml മലങ്കുറുന്തോട്ടി Wikidata
zh-cn 黄花稔 Wikidata
dag Bulasani Wikidata
bm Cɛganafuralan Wikidata
zh-hans 黄花稔 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple regions across the African continent and its surrounding islands. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically documented within the borders of Egypt. The species also inhabits the Macaronesian region, occurring naturally in both the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, the plant can be found growing in the country of Benin. Finally, its range extends further inland to include the territory of Burkina Faso.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Macaronesia Canary Is. WCVP
Macaronesia Cape Verde WCVP
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Sida acuta, is a versatile medicinal herb where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. Practitioners often employ the whole plants in traditional remedies to harness the full spectrum of its bioactive compounds. In many preparation methods, the whole plant is dried and powdered for decoctions, though specific treatments may focus on particular sections such as the stem segments to address different ailments. Additionally, the leaf is one of the most commonly used parts, frequently prepared as a topical poultice or an infusion due to its concentrated medicinal potency.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plants 1 ★☆☆☆☆
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stem segments 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Sida acuta has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cryptolepine, (E)-suberenol, 1,6-dihydroxyxanthone, 20-Hydroxyecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone.

Total chemicals
25
Scientific sources
27

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
cryptolepine 3 ★★☆☆☆
(E)-suberenol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
1,6-dihydroxyxanthone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
20-Hydroxyecdysone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
20-hydroxyecdysone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3-hydroxycinnamic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
azelaic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
biochanin A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cryptolepinone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ephedrine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Sida acuta has 7 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial, Antipyretic.

Total activities
7
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihypertensive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiplasmodial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Sida acuta has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Yersinia pestis, fever, inflammations, malaria.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Yersinia pestis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammations 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
wounds 1 ★☆☆☆☆