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 παρθένιον (parthenion), which referred to Tanacetum parthenium. The name is possibly derived from the Greek word παρθένος (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 (Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray Arkansas River feverfew - NM CO WY

• Parthenium argentatum A.Gray Guayule - TX, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas

• Parthenium cineraceum Rollins - Bolivia, Paraguay

• Parthenium confertum A.Gray Gray's feverfew - AZ NM TX Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Tamaulipas

• Parthenium fruticosum Less. - from Tamaulipas to Chiapas

• Parthenium hysterophorus L. Santa Maria feverfew, whitetop weed - widespread in North + South America; as an invasive species in India, Australia, and Africa

• Parthenium incanum Kunth mariola - NV UT AZ NM TX Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas

• Parthenium integrifolium L. American feverfew, wild quinine - from TX to MA + MN

• Parthenium ligulatum (M.E. Jones) Barneby Colorado feverfew - CO UT

• Parthenium rollinsianum Rzed. - San Luis Potosí

• Parthenium schottii Greenm. ex Millsp. & Chase - Yucatán

• Parthenium tomentosum DC. - 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 common invasive species in India, 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