Crassocephalum crepidioides

Crassocephalum crepidioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Crassocephalum
Species:	C. crepidioides
Binomial name
	Crassocephalum crepidioides; (Benth.) S.Moore 1912
Synonyms
	Gynura crepidioides Benth. 1849; Crassocephalum diversifolium Hiern; Gynura diversifolia Sch.Bip. ex Asch.; Gynura microcephala Vatke; Gynura polycephala Benth.; Senecio crepidioides Asch.; Senecio diversifolius A.Rich. 1848 not Dumort. 1827;

Crassocephalum crepidioides, also called ebolo, thickhead, redflower ragleaf, or fireweed, is an erect annual slightly succulent herb growing up to 180 cm tall. Its use is widespread in many tropical and subtropical regions, but is especially prominent in tropical Africa. Its fleshy, mucilaginous leaves and stems are eaten as a vegetable, and many parts of the plant have medical uses. However, the safety of internal use needs further research due to the presence of plant toxins.^[2]

Ecology

The species is invasive in New Caledonia.^[3]

Toxicity

Crassocephalum crepidioides contains the hepatotoxic and tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloid, jacobine.^[4]^[2] However, in another study, it is shown that the antitumor activity and macrophage nitric oxide produce action. ^[5]

References

^ The Plant List, Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S.Moore
^ ^a ^b Grubben, G.J.H., Vegetables, Volume 2 of Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA 2004, ISBN 90-5782-147-8
^ Hequet, Vanessa (2009). LES ESPÈCES EXOTIQUES ENVAHISSANTES DE NOUVELLE-CALÉDONIE (PDF) (in French). p. 17.
^ 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, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2002, pp. 198-211 [1]^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ Tomimori, Koh, et al. "Antitumor activity and macrophage nitric oxide producing action of medicinal herb, Crassocephalum crepidioides." BMC complementary and alternative medicine 12.1 (2012): 78.

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[1] The Plant List, Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S.Moore

[Grubben-2] Grubben, G.J.H., Vegetables, Volume 2 of Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA 2004, ISBN 90-5782-147-8

[3] Hequet, Vanessa (2009). LES ESPÈCES EXOTIQUES ENVAHISSANTES DE NOUVELLE-CALÉDONIE (PDF) (in French). p. 17.

[Fu1-4] 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, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2002, pp. 198-211 [1]^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[5] Tomimori, Koh, et al. "Antitumor activity and macrophage nitric oxide producing action of medicinal herb, Crassocephalum crepidioides." BMC complementary and alternative medicine 12.1 (2012): 78.

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