Xanthium strumarium
Xanthium strumarium, commonly known as cocklebur, is a distinctive annual herb recognized by its prickly, bur-like fruits. While often viewed as a troublesome weed in agricultural fields, this plant holds significant historical importance in traditional medicine, where its various components have been utilized for their diverse therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Xanthium strumarium
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known as Xanthium strumarium, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and falls 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 within the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the central part of the continent, the species is also established in Middle Europe. Specifically, it is documented in countries such as Austria and Belgium. Additionally, its geographical reach extends through the Middle Europe region of Czechia-Slovakia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | 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 strumarium has 33 reported phytochemicals identified across 39 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 33
- Scientific sources
- 39
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-caryophyllene oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,5-dimethyltetralin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fisetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| L-bornyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Xanthium strumarium has 6 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Insecticide.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Insecticide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phototoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Xanthium strumarium has 32 reported medicinal uses identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include allergic rhinitis, arthritis, bacterial infections, headache, rhinitis.
- Total uses
- 32
- Scientific sources
- 38
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| allergic rhinitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhinitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| urticaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |