Calea (plant)


Calea is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae. They are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Extracts of Calea species have had antifungal, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, larvicidal, antiplasmodial, and antihypertensive effects in experiments. Some species are used in traditional medicine and ritual. Calea clematidea is used to treat influenza. Calea ternifolia is used in Mexico to treat dysentery and fever, and native peoples use it to influence their dreams.

Species

161 species are accepted.

Formerly placed here

In 2023 John F. Pruski reclassified many Calea species into the new genera Laceanthos, Podocalea, and Tepuipappus, and into the revived genera Lemmatium, Meyeria, and Tonalanthus. As of June 2025, Plants of the World Online still considers Meyeria to be a synonym of Calea.
  • Tonalanthus megacephalus
; Names brought to synonymy:
  • Calea elegans DC., a synonym for Perymenium acuminatum, a plant found in Mexico