Xanthium spinosum

Xanthium spinosum, commonly known as spiny cocklebur, is a resilient, thorny annual herb found in various tropical and subtropical regions. Renowned for its distinctive prickly burs, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical importance. It is utilized in traditional medicine for its diverse bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

  • Scientific name: Xanthium spinosum
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Europe

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

Chemicals

Xanthium spinosum has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-octadecenoic acid, 11-octadecenoic acid, 15(S)-HETE, 8-octadecenoic acid, atractyloside.

Total chemicals
18
Scientific sources
18

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
10-octadecenoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
11-octadecenoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
15(S)-HETE 1 ★☆☆☆☆
8-octadecenoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
atractyloside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
centaurin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
patuletin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pendulin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

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

Total activities
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Sedative 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

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

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Breast Cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
snake bite 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆