Ageratum conyzoides
Encyclopedia
Ageratum conyzoides is native to Tropical America, especially Brazil
. Herb 0.5–1 m. high, with ovate leaves 2–6 cm long, and flowers are white to mauve.
In Vietnamese
, the plant is called cứt lợn (Pig Feces) due to its growth in dirty areas.
. It is also an insecticide
and nematicide
.
lesions and tumors. The plant contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloids lycopsamine and echinatine.
when grown outside of its natural range. It is an invasive weed in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and USA. It is considered a moderate weed of rice cultivation in Asia.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Herb 0.5–1 m. high, with ovate leaves 2–6 cm long, and flowers are white to mauve.
In Vietnamese
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
, the plant is called cứt lợn (Pig Feces) due to its growth in dirty areas.
Uses
As a medicinal plant, Ageratum conyzoides has limited uses due to its toxicityToxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organisms. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ , such as the liver...
. It is also an insecticide
Insecticide
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
and nematicide
Nematicide
A nematicide is a type of chemical pesticide used to kill parasitic nematodes.One common nematicide is obtained from neem cake, the residue obtained after cold-pressing the fruit and kernels of the neem tree. Known by several names in the world, the tree was first cultivated in India in ancient...
.
Toxicity
Ingesting A. conyzoides can cause liverLiver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
lesions and tumors. The plant contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloids lycopsamine and echinatine.
Weed risk
A. conyzoides is prone to becoming a rampant environmental weedWeed
A weed in a general sense is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-controlled settings, especially farm fields and gardens, but also lawns, parks, woods, and other areas. More specifically, the term is often used to...
when grown outside of its natural range. It is an invasive weed in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and USA. It is considered a moderate weed of rice cultivation in Asia.