Tithonia tubaeformis
Tithonia tubaeformis, commonly known as the Mexican sunflower or tree marigold, is a vibrant medicinal plant native to Mexico. Renowned for its bright orange blooms, it possesses significant therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing capabilities, making it a valuable resource in traditional herbal medicine and pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Tithonia tubaeformis
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Tithonia, specifically the species Tithonia tubaeformis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tithonia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Tithonia tubaeformis, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the Mexican sunflower, while in Spanish, it is known as girasol mexicano. In Portuguese, it is called girassol-mexicano, and in French, it is identified as tournesol mexicain.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across both the African and North American continents. In the African region, it can be found throughout South Tropical Africa, specifically within Zambia. Its presence also extends to Southern Africa, where it is documented in Eswatini. Moving to North America, the species is widely distributed across several regions of Mexico. Specifically, it inhabits Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, and the Mexico Gulf areas.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Tithonia tubaeformis, is primarily utilized in pharmacological research through the preparation of a methanolic extract derived from its various vegetative components. Scientists typically focus on the leaves and stems to obtain this extract, as it serves as a concentrated medium for isolating bioactive secondary metabolites. By using methanol as a solvent, researchers can effectively draw out diverse chemical compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which are responsible for the plant's medicinal properties. Consequently, the methanolic extract becomes the central subject of study when investigating the plant's potential therapeutic effects against various biological targets.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| methanolic extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Tithonia tubaeformis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include galegine.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| galegine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Tithonia tubaeformis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antipyretic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Tithonia tubaeformis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pyrexia.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pyrexia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |