Santa maria (Parthenium hysterophorus, Sp. Pl.: 988 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 988 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Parthenium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Santa Maria (Parthenium hysterophorus)

Santa Maria, scientifically known as Parthenium hysterophorus, is an intriguing plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. First documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this species has a rich history and notable presence in various regions.

Originating in the tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Santa Maria has garnered attention for both its invasive nature and its influence on local ecosystems. It typically thrives in disturbed soils, often seen along roadsides, in vacant urban lots, or amidst agricultural lands, making it a common sight in areas where human activity has altered the natural landscape.

One of the defining characteristics of Parthenium hysterophorus is its appearance. The plant exhibits small, white flowers arranged in clusters, which can give it a deceptively delicate look. However, this is coupled with a robust and resilient structure that allows it to proliferate rapidly and compete aggressively with native flora. The foliage is deeply lobed and covered with fine hairs that can cause skin irritation in some individuals, adding a cautionary note to its physical description.

Ecologically, Santa Maria poses significant challenges. Its rapid growth and prolific seed production enable it to dominate and outcompete native plant species, disrupting local biodiversity. Furthermore, the plant has been reported to cause health issues such as respiratory problems and allergic reactions both in humans and animals, highlighting its negative impact beyond just the environment.

Despite its drawbacks, Parthenium hysterophorus has been studied for potential beneficial properties. Some research suggests that certain compounds within the plant may possess medicinal properties, sparking interest in fields such as pharmacology and alternative medicine.

In conclusion, Santa Maria (Parthenium hysterophorus) is a plant of notable interest due to its invasive nature, ecological impact, and potential medicinal properties. While it presents significant challenges in managing its growth and mitigating its adverse effects, it also provides avenues for further research and understanding of plant behavior and utility in varied ecosystems.

Common Names

Deu: karottenkraut
Eng: mugwort, santa maria, santa maria feverfew, bitterweed, carrot-grass, false ragweed, feverfew, parthenium-weed, ragweed parthenium, whitetop, whitetop weed, santa-maria, parthenium weed, whitehead, parthenium
Heb: partheniun afil, פרתניון
Dan: slør-partenium
Spa: yerba amarga, cicutilla, escoba amarga
Por: coentro-do-mato, fazendeiro, losna-branca
Swe: flikpartenium
Nld: schijnambrosia, parthenium
En: Santa Maria, Santa Maria feverfew, Carrot-grass, Ragweed parthenium, Feverfew, False ragweed, Whitetop, Bitterweed, Parthenium-weed, White head-broom, White head-bush, Congress grass, Demoina weed, Parthenium, Mugwort, Whitetop weed, Santa-Maria, Parthenium weed, Whitehead, Carrot Grass, Congree Grass, Santa maria fever few
Zh: Yin jiao ju, 銀膠菊, 银胶菊
Da: Slør-partenium
Nl: Schijnambrosia, Parthenium
Fr: Absinthe bâtard, Matricaire, Camomille balais, Camomille z’oiseaux, Fausse camomille, Herbe blanche, Camomillez’oiseaux
De: Karottenkraut
He: Partheniun afil, פרתניון, פרתניון אפיל
Hi: गाजर घास
Kn: ಪಾರ್ಥೇನಿಯಮ್
Ml: കോൺഗ്രസ് പുല്ല്
Mr: गाजर गवत
Pa: ਗਾਜਰ ਘਾਹ
Pl: Partenium ambrozjowate
Pt: Partenio, Coentro-do-mato, Losna-branca, Fazendeiro
Pt-br: Coentro-do-mato, Losna-branca
Es: Cicutilla, Escoba amarga, Ajenjo, Ajenjo cimarrón, Yerba amarga
Sv: Flikpartenium
Zh-tw: 銀膠菊
Ta: காங்கிரஸ் களை
Te: వయ్యారిభామ
Zh-hant: 銀膠菊
: Santa maria feverfew

Synonyms

• Parthenium pinnatifidum (Stokes)
• Echetrosis pentasperma (Phil.)
• Argyrochaeta bipinnatifida (Cav.)
• Parthenium lobatum (Buckley)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Ana Lara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2022 by Boopathi Boopathi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2022 by Nazreen Bhanu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2021 by Tarun Kant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Juan Manuel Manuel (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 15, 2020 by Pedro Almeida (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by arjun saxena (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2022 by Nazreen Bhanu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2022 by Shahish Kumar (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.

Habit

Taken Jun 28, 2022 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 9, 2006 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 21, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 16, 1996 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Shreyash S (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 4, 2021 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by correa maria (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3086784)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:236510-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Parthenium hysterophorus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth