Indian-weed (Sigesbeckia orientalis, Sp. Pl.: 900 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 900 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sigesbeckia

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Europe to Asia and Australia

Description

Indian-weed, scientifically known as Sigesbeckia orientalis, is a fascinating herbaceous plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” this plant has carved out a niche for itself across a broad geographical range, spanning from Eastern Europe to various parts of Asia and extending into Australia.

Indian-weed is characterized by its robust and hardy nature, allowing it to thrive in diverse climates and environments. The plant typically exhibits coarse, upright stems that can reach up to a meter in height. Its leaves are lance-shaped, often displaying a somewhat rough texture that is mirrored by its slightly sticky and glandular surface—an adaptation that may have evolved to deter herbivores or to retain moisture in varying conditions.

The flowers of Sigesbeckia orientalis are small but numerous, arranged in loose clusters that are a quintessential feature of the Asteraceae family. Each flower displays a yellowish hue and contributes to the plant’s ability to attract pollinators, thus ensuring successful reproduction and dissemination.

Beyond its botanical interest, Indian-weed has been traditionally recognized for its medicinal properties in various cultures. Historical records and folk medicine practices suggest that the plant has been employed in the treatment of a range of ailments, from skin inflammations to arthritic conditions, leveraging its natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities.

In recent times, the distribution of Indian-weed has been closely monitored by botanists and ecologists due to its ability to spread rapidly and potentially outcompete native flora. This resilience and adaptability, while fascinating to study, necessitate careful ecological management to prevent it from becoming an invasive species in delicate ecosystems.

Overall, Sigesbeckia orientalis stands as a testament to the complex interplay between plants and their environments, illustrating the remarkable adaptability and enduring relevance of botanical species first documented centuries ago. Its widespread presence and multifaceted uses underscore the importance of ongoing botanical research and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Dan: asiatisk klæbekurv
Por: botão-de-ouro
Eng: common st. paul’s wort, eastern st paul’s-wort, indian-weed, eastern st. paul’s-wort, stickyweed, eastern st. paul’s wort, indian weed, yellow crown-head
Deu: orientalische sigesbeckie
Swe: orientalisk klibbstjärna, asiatisk klibbstjärna
Cym: llysiau-pawl asia
Mri: punawaru
En: Indian-weed, Stickyweed, Eastern St. Paul’s-wort, Common St. Paul’s wort, Eastern St Paul’s-wort, Eastern St. Paul’s Wort, Indian Weed, Yellow Crown-head, Oriental Siegesbeckia, Siegesbeckia, Sigesbeckia, Common St. Paul’s-wort
Az: Şərq sigezbekiyası
Zh: 豨薟
Da: Asiatisk klæbekurv
Fi: Aasiannystytähti
Fr: Guérivite, Colle-colle, Guérit-vite
De: Orientalische Sigesbeckie
It: Siegesbeckia
Ml: കടംപൂ
Mi: Punawaru
Fa: علف مقدس
Pt: Botão-de-ouro
Qu: Qalti
Sv: Orientalisk klibbstjärna, Asiatisk klibbstjärna
Zh-tw: 希占草, 苦草, 豨簽, 黏糊菜
To: Kakamika
Vi: Hy thiêm
Cy: Llysiau-Pawl Asia
: Common st. paul’s wort

Synonyms

• Sigesbeckia droseroides (Sweet)
• Sigesbeckia brachiata (Roxb.)
• Sigesbeckia iberica (Willd.)
• Sigesbeckia humilis (Koidz.)
• Sigesbeckia caspia (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)
• Minyranthes heterophylla (Turcz.)
• Sigesbeckia triangularis (Cav.)
• Sigesbeckia orientalis var. tenggerensis (Hochr.)
• Sigesbeckia orientalis f. angustifolia (Makino)
• Sigesbeckia gracilis (DC.)
• Sigesbeckia glutinosa (Wall.)
• Sigesbeckia microcephala (DC.)
• Sigesbeckia esquirolii (H.Lév. & Vaniot)

Distribution

• Amur (native)
• Angola (native)
• Assam (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Socotra (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Mar 24, 2020 by stephane soulie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Augustin Soulard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Kara Turna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Boris Therock (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2020 by sir caley (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by manika n (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2021 by full_spectrum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Boris Therock (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 23, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 23, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 1, 2021 by full_spectrum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Boris Therock (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Oliveira Vander (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 7, 2022 by Danibot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

Taken Aug 23, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 23, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 23, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3125901)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:249084-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sigesbeckia orientalis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth