Parthenium integrifolium

Parthenium integrifolium is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names wild quinine, American feverfew, and eastern feverfew. It is native to the eastern and midwestern United States.[1][2]

Parthenium integrifolium
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Parthenium
Species:	P. integrifolium
Binomial name
Parthenium integrifolium L.

This plant is a perennial herb growing about three to five feet high. The glandular leaves are oval to lance-shaped and variable in size. They have serrated, toothed, or lobed edges. The inflorescence is an array of several flower heads containing whitish disc flowers and 5 to 6 ray flowers.[2] The "flowers have a pleasant but mild medicinal fragrance."[3]

This plant grows in disturbed areas[2] as well as prairies, meadows, woodland edges, and hillsides. It does best in full sun, but does well enough in part shade. It grows in most any well-drained soil from sandy loam to good quality clay. It tolerates hot and cold climates and can be used as a garden plant in many areas.[3] It has a long blooming period of June into September; one of the longer blooming perennials. The winter inflorescences are attractive and make a good dried flower arrangement for indoors. It is sold by a good number of native plant nurseries.

The leaves of the plant contain tannins and the plant was used for medicinal and veterinary purposes by Native Americans. The Catawba people used it as a poultice to treat burns. The ashes were applied to horses with "sore backs".[3][4] The roots were made into a tea to treat dysentery.[3]

References

1. Parthenium integrifolium. NatureServe.
2. Parthenium integrifolium. Flora of North America.
3. Parthenium integrifolium. USDA NRCS Plant Guide.
4. Parthenium integrifolium. University of Michigan Ethnobotany.

External links

• USDA Plants Profile