Parthenium

Genus of plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parthenium is a genus of North American annuals, biennials, perennials, subshrubs, and shrubs in the tribe Heliantheae within the family Asteraceae and subfamily Asteroideae.[4][2][3][5]

Quick facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Parthenium
Parthenium hysterophorus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Heliantheae
Subtribe: Ambrosiinae
Genus: Parthenium
L.
Type species
Parthenium hysterophorus[1][2]
Synonyms[3]
  • Argyrochaeta Cav.
  • Bolophyta Nutt.
  • Echetrosis Phil.
  • Hysterophorus Vaill.
  • Partheniastrum Fabr.
  • Villanova Ortega
Close

The name Parthenium is an evolution of the Ancient Greek name παρθένιον (parthenion), which referred to Tanacetum parthenium.[6][7][8] The name is possibly derived from the Greek word παρθένος (parthenos) which means "virgin".[5]

Members of the genus are commonly known as feverfew.[9] Notable species include guayule (P. argentatum) which has been used as a rubber substitute, especially during the Second World War;[10] and also P. hysterophorus, a serious invasive species in the Old World.[11]

Species

These include:[3]

Importance

In North America, the Jicarilla Apache people used Parthenium incanum for medicine (Opler 1946: 8). The sap of guayule (P. argentatum) is a source of natural rubber.[12] Parthenium hysterophorus is a common invasive species in India, Australia, and parts of Africa. Its pollen can cause allergies and the sap is toxic.

References

Further information

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI