SafePlants

Centipeda: A Botanical Overview

The genus Centipeda belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. This group of flowering plants is primarily found in Australia and New Zealand, with some species extending beyond this region.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Centipeda species are commonly found in gardens, potentially exposing pets through accidental ingestion or contact.

Considerations for Children

• Some Centipeda species are commonly found in gardens, potentially exposing children through accidental ingestion or contact.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
• The Plant List includes 21 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Centipeda, of which 11 are accepted species names.

Centipeda cunninghamii

• Common Names: Old Man Weed (literal translation of the Koori name Gukwonderuk)
• This species has been used in Stockton Aloe 1's - Youth-Derm Ultra Healing Aloe Cream.

Centipeda minima

• Synonyms:
  • Artemisia minima L.
  • Artemisia orbicularis (L.) Roxb.
  • Artemisia sternutatoria Roxb.
  • Centipeda minuta (G.Forst.) Benth.
  • Centipeda minuta (Less.) C.B.Clarke.
  • Artemisia sternutatoria Roxb
  • Centipeda minima var. lanuginosa (DC.) Domin
  • Centipeda minuta (G. Forst.)
• Common Names:
  • Common sneezeweed
  • Spreading sneezeweed
  • Sneeze weed
  • Ebushicao
• Traditional Uses: In Chinese folk medicine, Centipeda minima is traditionally used for the treatments of rhinitis, sinusitis, relieving pain, reducing swelling, and treating various diseases such as nasal allergies and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Distribution and Habitat

• The genus is primarily native to Australia and New Zealand.
• Centipeda minima is distributed throughout tropical Africa and Asia (including China, Afghanistan, Japan, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Lao PDR, and Indonesia).
• Occurrences of Centipeda cunninghamii have been noted at Wanniassa Hill, Isaacs Ridge, and Black Mountain.

Morphological Characteristics

• Centipeda minima is an annual herb, growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
• It features glabrous to woolly stems that are prostrate to ascending, 10-20 cm high, and much-branched.
• Centipeda crateriformis ssp. crateriformis is also an annual and does not root at the nodes. Its flower heads are flattened.
• Flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Centipeda periodontii is a Gram-negative, anaerobic rod found subgingivally in chronic periodontitis.

Quirky Facts

• The Koori name for Centipeda cunninghamii, "Gukwonderuk," literally translates to "Old Man Weed."

Further Information

• University of Massachusetts Herbarium (MASS)
• The Plant List
• Discover Life