Ageratum conyzoides explained

Ageratum conyzoides (billygoat-weed, chick weed, goatweed, whiteweed, mentrasto) is native to Tropical America, especially Brazil, and is an invasive weed in many other regions. It is an herb that is 0.5–1 m. high, with ovate leaves 2–6 cm long, and flowers are white to mauve.[1]

In Vietnamese, the plant is called cứt lợn (meaning "pig feces") due to its growth in dirty areas.[2]

Uses

As a medicinal plant, Ageratum conyzoides is widely used by many traditional cultures, against dysentery and diarrhea.[3] It is also an insecticide and nematicide.[4] [3]

Toxicity

Ingesting A. conyzoides can cause liver lesions and tumors.[5] [6] There was a mass poisoning incident in Ethiopia as a result of contamination of grain with A. conyzoides.[7] The plant contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloids lycopsamine and echinatine.

Weed risk

A. conyzoides is prone to becoming a rampant environmental weed when grown outside of its natural range. It is an invasive weed in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, Hawaii, and the USA.[8] [9] It is considered a moderate weed of rice cultivation in Asia.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ageratum conyzoides . NSW Flora Online .
  2. [:vi:Cứt lợn]
  3. Panda. Sujogya Kumar. Luyten. Walter. Antiparasitic activity in Asteraceae with special attention to ethnobotanical use by the tribes of Odisha, India. Parasite. 25. 2018. 10. 1776-1042. 10.1051/parasite/2018008. 29528842. 5847338.
  4. Book: Ming, L.C. . Ageratum conyzoides: A tropical source of medicinal and agricultural products . http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1999/v4-469.html . J. . Janick . Perspectives on new crops and new uses . ASHS Press . Alexandria VA . 1999 . 978-0961502706 . 469–473 .
  5. Sani, Y. . Bahri, S. . Pathological changes in liver due to the toxicity of Ageratum conyzoides . Penyakit Hewan . 26 . 48 . 64–70 . 1994 . 0216-7662 . 2013-08-31 . 2023-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423162058/https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search/display.do?f=1997/ID/ID97008.xml;ID9600846 . dead .
  6. Fu, P.P. . Yang, Y.C. . Xia, Q. . Chou, M.C. . Cui, Y.Y. . Lin G. . Pyrrolizidine alkaloids-tumorigenic components in Chinese herbal medicines and dietary supplements . Journal of Food and Drug Analysis . 10 . 4 . 198–211 . 2002 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120105233916/http://www.fda.gov.tw/files/publish_periodical/10-4-1.PDF . 2012-01-05 .
  7. Wiedenfeld, H. . Plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids: toxicity and problems. . Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A . 28 . 3 . 282–292 . 2011 . 10.1080/19440049.2010.541288 . 21360374 . 23218347 .
  8. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/ageratum_conyzoides/ Global Compendium of Weeds, Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae)
  9. Web site: Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, and Surrounding Areas . Alan S. Weakley . April 2008 .
  10. Book: Caton, B.P. . A Practical Field Guide to Weeds of Rice in Asia . 2004 . Int. Rice Res. Inst. . 16–17 . 978-971-22-0191-2.

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