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Paraguayan starburr

Scientific Name: Acanthospermum australe

Family: Asteraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Other Names:

       

Acanthospermum australe: Paraguayan Starburr

Acanthospermum australe, commonly known as Paraguayan starburr, is a plant with a wide distribution and interesting characteristics. This page provides information about its taxonomy, distribution, and other notable aspects.

Common Names

  • Paraguayan Starburr
  • Ihi kukae hipa
  • Paraguay bur
  • Paraquay starbur
  • Pipili
  • Sheepbur
  • Spiny-bur

Other common names include: Paraguay-bur, Paraguay-starbur, Prostrate Starbur, Creeping starbur, Donkieklits, Eight-seeded prostrate starbur, Eight-seeded starbur, Jodeluis Kruipsterklits, Prostrate starbur, Rankkakiebossie, Rankkakieklits, Setla-Bocha, Sheep Starbur, Sterklits. In Nigeria it is known as kasinyawo, in Paraguay as toro rati and in South Africa as donkieklits regop.

Considerations for Pets

This plant is also known as "Spiny-bur", due to its burrs. Please note that burrs can get stuck in animal fur and can be difficult to remove.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze
  • Synonym: Melampodium australe
  • Family: Asteraceae (Daisy Family)
  • Genus: Acanthospermum Schrank &#8211 starbur, starburr

An alternative scientific name to be aware of is Centrospermum xanthioides Kunth, and Acanthospermum xanthioides.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to South America, particularly Paraguay.
  • Introduced in many other parts of the world, including:
    • Massachusetts (occurs occasionally)
    • West Indies
    • Guianas
    • Brazil
    • Venezuela
    • Columbia
    • Bolivia
    • Northern Paraguay
    • Guyana
    • Kenya
    • Madagascar
    • Malawi
    • Mexico
    • Peru
    • South Africa
  • Grows on roadsides, in fields, in sandhills, in dry disturbed sandy woodlands, and in pastures.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Herbaceous plant.
  • Plant Form: Herb
  • Flower Color: white.
  • Flower Arrangement: Head.
  • Leaf Type: Simple.
  • Creeping (prostrate) plant with a long-lived or rarely short-lived life cycle.

Traditional Uses

  • In traditional medicine, the leaves and roots have been used for fever, malaria, diarrhea, and erysipelas.

Further Resources

  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
  • uBio
  • Wolfram|Alpha (for accessing facts and data)