SafePlants

Cyathula Species

Cyathula is a genus of plants within the Amaranthaceae family, encompassing both medicinal and ornamental species.

Considerations for Pets

• Several Cyathula species are described as having structures that "hook" to other objects.
• Cyathula prostrata is also referred to as "small prickly" and "prickly pastureweed"
• Cyathula uncinulata is commonly referred to as "Burweed"

Considerations for Children

• Several Cyathula species are described as having structures that "hook" to other objects.
• Cyathula prostrata is also referred to as "small prickly" and "prickly pastureweed"
• Cyathula uncinulata is commonly referred to as "Burweed"

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• Scientific Name: Cyathula Blume
• Family: Amaranthaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Synonyms:
  • Cyathula kilimandscharica Suesseng. &amp Beyerle
  • Cyathula orthacanthoides Suesseng.
  • Kyphocarpa orthacantha (Hochst. ex Aschers.) C.B. Clarke
  • Achyranthes prostrata L.
  • Cyathula deserti (N.E. Br.) Suesseng.
  • Cyathula hereroensis Schinz
  • Cyathula merkeri Gilg
  • Pandiaka deserti N.E. Br.
  • Pandiaka lanceolata (Schinz) C.B. Clarke
• Type Species: Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume

Common Names:

• Bohome
• Burweed
• Globe Cyathula
• Hookweed
• Klits
• Maime
• Nyarang
• Pastureweed
• Pigweed
• Rondeklits
• Small Prickly
• Tchimate
• Sichuan ox knee
• chuan niu xi (Chinese)

Distribution and Habitat:

• The genus Cyathula is distributed across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • Kamrup district, Assam
  • Madagascar, Montagne d'Ambre
  • Colombia, Valle del Cauca
  • Costa Rica, Heredia

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits:

• Cyathula prostrata is an annual to perennial herb.
• It features prostrate or erect stems growing from a long taproot.
• It can grow to a height of 30-60cm.
• Some species have stems that are erect or ascending.
• Cyathula prostrata is also described as a perennial, slender herb, prostrate below and rooting at the nodes, branches ascending, 50-100cm long.

Traditional Uses:

• In traditional medicine, Cyathula prostrata is used in the treatment of various inflammatory and pain-related health conditions.
• Cyathula species are used for blood stasis related to gynecological disorders, including irregular menses, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, and difficult labor.
• They are also used for chronic backache.

Specific Species Highlights:

• Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume:
  • Also known as Pastureweed and Small Prickly.
  • Used traditionally for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties.
  • The specific name "prostrata" means "lying flat on the ground."
• Cyathula officinalis Kuan:
  • Chemical fingerprinting has been performed using LC-ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS.
• Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz:
  • Used in ethnomedicine.

Resources and Further Information:

• iNaturalist.org
• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk project (PIER)
• Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa)
• International Plant Names Index
• ARKive