Crassocephalum crepidioides

Crassocephalum crepidioides
Crassocephalum crepidioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Senecioneae
Genus: Crassocephalum
Species: C. crepidioides
Binomial name
Crassocephalum crepidioides
(Benth.) S.Moore 1912
Synonyms[1]
  • 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 seeds

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]

Toxicity

Crassocephalum crepidioides contains the hepatotoxic and tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloid, jacobine.[3][2]

References

  1. ↑ The Plant List, Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S.Moore
  2. 1 2 Grubben,G.J.H., Vegetables, Volume 2 of Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA 2004, ISBN 90-5782-147-8
  3. ↑ 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
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