Cleome viscosa

Cleome viscosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Cleomaceae
Genus: Cleome
Species:
C. viscosa
Binomial name
Cleome viscosa
Synonyms[1]
  • Arivela viscosa (L.) Raf.
  • Cleome acutifolia Elmer
  • Cleome icosandra L.
  • Polanisia icosandra (L.) Wight & Arn.
  • Polanisia microphylla Eichler
  • Polanisia viscosa (L.) Blume
  • Sinapistrum viscosum (L.) Moench

Cleome viscosa, the Asian spiderflower[2] or tick weed[3] is an annual herb that grows up to a meter high. It belongs to the family Cleomaceae. It is considered an invasive species and is widely distributed in warm and humid habitats across the Americas, Africa and Asia,[4] and in Australia[5] (where it is considered a native).[6][7] It is commonly found during the rainy season.

The crushed leaves have been investigated as a treatment for stored seeds of cowpea, to prevent weevil infestation.[8]

The leaves are used as external application to wounds and ulcers. The seeds are anthelmintic and carminative. The juice of the leaves is used as a remedy against discharge of pus from the ear. In a study comparing C. viscosa to standard antibiotics, it was proven to be effective at inhibiting microbial growth. This demonstrates its effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent in comparison to the antibiotic tetracycline.[9]

In northern India, the seeds (called Jakhya) are used as a culinary herb, mainly for tempering. in Australia, the Walmajarri people of the southern Kimberley call it Jirlpirringarni.[10]

  1. ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 17 May 2016
  2. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Cleome viscosa​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  3. ^ "Cleome viscosa". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ "Cleome viscosa (Asian spiderflower)". www.cabi.org. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  5. ^ "Cleome viscosa L." www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  6. ^ "Arviela viscosa (L.) Raf". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  7. ^ H.J. Hewson (2020). "Cleome viscosa". Flora of Australia. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  8. ^ Dabire, C.L.B.; Niango Ba, M.; Sanon, A. (2008), "Effects of crushed fresh Cleome viscosa L. (Capparaceae) plants on the cowpea storage pest, Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)", International Journal of Pest Management, 54 (4): 319–326, doi:10.1080/09670870802266953, S2CID 84117017
  9. ^ "Antimicrobial Effects of Cleome Viscosa and Trigonella Foenum Graecum Seed Extracts" (PDF). Journal of Cell and Tissue Research. 8 (2). 3 February 2008.
  10. ^ Bessie Doonday; Charmia Samuels; Evelyn (Martha) Clancy; et al. (2013). "Walmajarri plants and animals". Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin. 42: 92. Wikidata Q106088428.