Ageratina ligustrina explained

Ageratina ligustrina, the privet-leaved ageratina or privet-leaved snakeroot, is Mesoamerican species of evergreen flowering shrub in the sunflower family. It is widespread across much of Mexico and Central America from Tamaulipas to Costa Rica.[1] [2] [3]

Ageratina ligustrina grows to 4 metres tall, producing flat heads of daisy-like white to pink composite flower-heads in autumn.[4] The fragrant flower-heads may be up to 20 centimeters in diameter and attract butterflies.[5] The leaves are light green, elliptic to lance shaped, with toothed margins.[6]

Cultivation

Ageratina ligustrina has been in cultivation since the mid 1800s, and in 1996, it gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] [8] It is not fully hardy in temperate regions. In the US, it is suitable to be grown outdoors in hardiness zones 9–11. A. ligustrina tends to be susceptible to slugs and aphids if grown outside, and whiteflies and red spider mites if grown in a greenhouse.[9]

Etymology

Ageratina is derived from Greek meaning 'un-aging', in reference to the flowers keeping their color for a long time. This name was used by Dioscorides for a number of different plants.[10]

The Latin specific epithet ligustrina highlights the plant's resemblance to the privet Ligustrum, though the two plants are not believed to be closely related.[11]

Chemical compounds

Eupalin and eupatolin are flavonol rhamnosides isolated from E. ligustrinum.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Turner, B. L. 1997. The Comps of Mexico: A systematic account of the family Asteraceae, vol. 1 -- Eupatorieae. Phytologia Memoirs 11: i–iv, 1–272
  2. Linares, J. L. 2003 [2005]. Listado comentado de los árboles nativos y cultivados en la república de El Salvador. Ceiba 44(2): 105–268.
  3. Berendsohn, W.G., A. K. Gruber & J. A. Monterrosa Salomón. 2009. Nova silva cuscatlanica. Árboles nativos e introducidos de El Salvador. Parte 1: Angiospermae - Familias A a L. Englera 29(1): 1–438.
  4. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. Dorling Kindersley. 2008. 978-1405332965. United Kingdom. 1136.
  5. Web site: Ageratina ligustrina Coastal Hedging. 2021-04-23. www.coastalhedging.co.uk.
  6. Web site: Shoot. Ageratina ligustrina Eupatorium ligustrinum Eupatorium micranthum Eupatorium weinmannianum Privet-leaved eupatorium Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice. 2021-04-23. www.shootgardening.co.uk. en.
  7. Hind. Nicholas. 2006. 567. AGERATINA LIGUSTRINA: Compositae. Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 23. 4. 278–288. 1355-4905.
  8. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Ageratina ligustrina. 19 July 2013.
  9. Web site: Eupatorium Ligustrinum from Burncoose Nurseries. live. April 23, 2021. Burncoose Nurseries. https://web.archive.org/web/20111014051318/http://www.burncoose.co.uk:80/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=1835 . 2011-10-14 .
  10. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 39
  11. Book: Harrison, Lorraine. RHS Latin for gardeners. 2012. Mitchell Beazley. United Kingdom. 9781845337315. 224.
  12. The structures of eupalin and eupatolin. Two new flavonol rhamnosides isolated from Eupatorium ligustrinum D.C. L. Quijano, F. Malanco and Tirso Ríos, Tetrahedron, Volume 26, Issue 12, 1970, pages 2851-2859,

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