Parthenium hysterophorus

Common Name :Feverfew, Carrot grass, Bitterweed, Parthenium weed, Congress grass, Whitetop Weed Botanical Name : Parthenium hysterophorus Family : Asteraceae Special Character : Poisonous Genus : Parthenium

Kingdom - Plantae

Order - Asterales

Species - hysterophorus

Origin - Tropical America

Found In - Meadow, Farms, Roadsides

Height - Up to 6 feet tall

Spread - Up to 3 feet tall

Flowers - Tiny, White, Unpleasent fragrance, clustered flowers connected with hairy branched stem

Foliage - Garyish green or light green

Seeds & Hazards- It is an American weed. Introduced to India in 80’s. This causes allergic contact dermatitis or allergic skin reactions. The chemicals responsible for this are parthenin and ambrosin belonging to sesquiterpene lactones. Electron microscopic studies have revealed the presence of four types of glandular hairs filled with the allergens. When these glands are broken and exudates come in contact with the skin they cause rashes and blisters on the face, hands and ears.

Type/Lifecycle - Annual

Category - Herb

Photographs: Guna Selvi Camera: Nikon D40x Location : Kundadam, Dharapuram, Erode, Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, India