Parthenium
Parthenium is a genus of North American annuals, biennials, perennials, subshrubs, and shrubs in the tribe Heliantheae within the family Asteraceae and subfamily Asteroideae.
The name Parthenium is an evolution of the Ancient Greek name παρθένιον, which referred to Tanacetum parthenium. The name is possibly derived from the Greek word παρθένος which means "virgin".
Members of the genus are commonly known as feverfew. Notable species include guayule which has been used as a rubber substitute, especially during the Second World War; and also P. hysterophorus, a serious invasive species in the Old World.
Species
These include:Parthenium alpinum Torr. & A.Gray - Arkansas River feverfew - NM CO WYParthenium argentatum A.Gray - Guayule - TX, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, ZacatecasParthenium cineraceum Rollins - Bolivia, Paraguay Parthenium confertum A.Gray - Gray's feverfew - AZ NM TX Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, TamaulipasParthenium fruticosum Less. - from Tamaulipas to ChiapasParthenium hysterophorus L. - Santa Maria feverfew, whitetop weed - widespread in North + South America; as an invasive species in India, Australia, and AfricaParthenium incanum Kunth - mariola - NV UT AZ NM TX Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, ZacatecasParthenium integrifolium L. - American feverfew, wild quinine - from TX to MA + MNParthenium ligulatum Barneby - Colorado feverfew - CO UT Parthenium rollinsianum Rzed. - San Luis PotosíParthenium schottii Greenm. ex Millsp. & Chase - YucatánParthenium tomentosum DC. - Oaxaca, PueblaImportance
In North America, the Jicarilla Apache people used Parthenium incanum for medicine. The sap of guayule is a source of natural rubber.Parthenium hysterophorus is a common invasive species in India, Australia, and parts of Africa. Its pollen can cause allergies and the sap is toxic.