spiny cocklebur

Xanthium spinosum · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (32 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Spiny cocklebura, scientifically known as Xanthium spinosum, is a resilient, thorny annual herb native to various regions. Recognized by its distinctive prickly burs, it plays a significant role in traditional medicine. This plant is studied for its diverse bioactive compounds, offering potential therapeutic applications in various pharmacological treatments.

Family
Asteraceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Leaf
Common names
Spiny Burrweed · Spiny Clotbur · 12 more
Scientific synonyms
Acanthoxanthium Spinosum · Xanthium Spinosum F. Inerme · 12 more

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • abrojos, arrancamoños, cardillos
  • cachurrera menor
  • pegotes
  • Amorcito
  • abrojo chico
  • arrancamoños

German:

  • Dornige Spitzklette
  • dornige Spitzklette

French:

  • lampourde épineuse
  • lampourde épineuse
  • petite bardane
  • Lampourde epineuse

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Xanthium spinosum

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. As a member of the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae, it is further classified under the genus Xanthium.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Xanthium WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the territories of Denmark and Great Britain. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is well-established in Austria and Belgium. It can also be found spanning the areas of Czechia and Slovakia. Consequently, the geographical range of Xanthium spinosum covers diverse parts of both Northern and Middle Europe.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP
Middle Europe Netherlands WCVP
Middle Europe Poland WCVP
Middle Europe Switzerland WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Xanthium spinosum, is characterized by its distinctive foliage, which includes both young and mature leaf structures. The leaves are typically arranged in an opposite pattern along the stem, providing a dense canopy that aids in photosynthesis. Each mature leaf is relatively large, often displaying a lanceolate or ovate shape with serrated margins, and serves as a key identifier for the species. These leaves play a vital role in the plant's physiological processes, contributing to the overall medicinal properties associated with its vegetative growth.
Plant Part Sources Consensus
leaf Revista peruana de medicina experimental y salud publica (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Xanthium spinosum has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-Octadecenoic acid, 11-Octadecenoic acid, 15(S)-HETE, 8-Octadecenoic acid, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

Chemicals reported in Xanthium spinosum
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
10-Octadecenoic acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
11-Octadecenoic acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
15(S)-HETE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
8-Octadecenoic acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
CHLOROGENIC ACID 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Centaurin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Patuletin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Pendulin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Phytosterols 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

10-Octadecenoic acid

  1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

11-Octadecenoic acid

  1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

15(S)-HETE

  1. Fitoterapia

8-Octadecenoic acid

  1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

  1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

CHLOROGENIC ACID

  1. Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica

Centaurin

  1. Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica

Patuletin

  1. Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica

Pendulin

  1. Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica

Phytosterols

  1. Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica

Activities

Xanthium spinosum has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antitumor, Diuretic.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Consensus
Antibacterial Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Sedative Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Xanthium spinosum has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Breast Cancer, cancer, fever, inflammation, snake bite.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
Breast Cancer Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
cancer Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
fever Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
snake bite Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
tumor Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
chloroform extract Biomedical chromatography : BMC (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
crude methanolic extract Biomedical chromatography : BMC (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ethyl acetate extract Biomedical chromatography : BMC (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
mature leaf extract Revista peruana de medicina experimental y salud publica (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
n-hexane extract Biomedical chromatography : BMC (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆