Parthenium is a genus of North American annuals, biennials, perennials, subshrubs, and shrubs in the tribe Heliantheae within the family Asteraceae and subfamily Asteroideae.
The name Parthenium is an evolution of the Ancient Greek name ÃÂñÃÂøÃÂýùÿý (parthenion), which referred to Tanacetum parthenium. The name is possibly derived from the Greek word ÃÂñÃÂøÃÂýÿà(parthenos) which means "virgin".
Members of the genus are commonly known as feverfew. Notable species include guayule (P. argentatum) which has been used as a rubber substitute, especially during the Second World War; and also P. hysterophorus, a serious invasive species in the Old World.
Species
These include:
- Parthenium alpinum <small>(Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray</small> – Arkansas River feverfew - NM CO WY
- Parthenium argentatum <small>A.Gray</small> – Guayule - TX, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Nuevo León, San Luis PotosÃÂ, Zacatecas
- Parthenium cineraceum <small>Rollins</small> - Bolivia, Paraguay
- Parthenium confertum <small>A.Gray</small> – Gray's feverfew - AZ NM TX Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis PotosÃÂ, Querétaro, Tamaulipas
- Parthenium fruticosum <small>Less.</small> - from Tamaulipas to Chiapas
- Parthenium hysterophorus <small>L.</small> – Santa Maria feverfew, whitetop weed - widespread in North + South America; as an invasive species in India, Australia, and Africa
- Parthenium incanum <small>Kunth</small> – mariola - NV UT AZ NM TX Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, San Luis PotosÃÂ, Zacatecas
- Parthenium integrifolium <small>L.</small> – American feverfew, wild quinine - from TX to MA + MN
- Parthenium ligulatum <small>(M.E. Jones) Barneby</small> – Colorado feverfew - CO UT
- Parthenium rollinsianum <small>Rzed.</small> - San Luis PotosÃÂ
- Parthenium schottii <small>Greenm. ex Millsp. & Chase</small> - Yucatán
- Parthenium tomentosum <small>DC.</small> - Oaxaca, Puebla
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. Parthenium hysterophorus is a commonÃÂ invasive speciesÃÂ in India,ÃÂ Australia, and parts of Africa. Its pollen can cause allergies and the sap is toxic.
Gallery
References
- Opler, Morris E. (1946). Childhood and youth in Jicarilla Apache society. Publications of the Frederick Webb Hodge Anniversary Fund (Vol. 5). Los Angeles: The Southwest Museum Administrator of the Fund.
Further information