Cyathula prostrata (pasture weed)
Datasheet Types: Invasive species, Host plant
Abstract
This datasheet on Cyathula prostrata covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Further Information.
Identity
- Preferred Scientific Name
- Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume
- Preferred Common Name
- pasture weed
- Other Scientific Names
- Achyranthes pedicellata C.B. Clarke
- Achyranthes protrata L.
- Cyathula geniculata Lour.
- Cyathula germinata Moq.
- Cyathula pedicellata C.B. Clarke
- Desmochaeta prostrata (L.) DC.
- Pupalia atropurpurea Moq.
- Pupalia prostrata (L.) Mart.
- International Common Names
- Englishpurple princess
- Spanishcucua macho
- Frenchcyathule couchée
- Local Common Names
- Cambodiaando ko
- Chinabei xian
- Colombiacadillo
- Indonesiarai-rai fofohekaranggitanrumput jarang-jarang
- Malaysiakeremakmenjarangnyarang
- Papua New Guineakinjan
- Philippinesbakbakdayangtuhod-monok
- Puerto Ricocyatul
- Thailandyaa phaanghu daengyaa phaanngu lek
Pictures
Summary of Invasiveness
Cyathula prostrata is an annual to short-lived perennial herb native to Africa and Asia and some parts of Oceania, now found naturalized elsewhere in Oceania and in South and Central America. It grows as a weed in cultivated land, roadsides, grazing land, along seashores and in primary and secondary forests and is classed as an invasive species in a number of Pacific Islands.
Taxonomic Tree
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Cyathula is a genus in the Amaranthaceae that consists of about 25 species with a tropical distribution (Chuakul et al., 2001; World Flora Online, 2020). World Flora Online (2020) include two accepted varieties of C. prostrata: C. prostrata var. lancifolia and C. prostrata var. pedicellata.
Plant Type
Annual
Herbaceous
Perennial
Description
The following description is from Chuakul et al. (2001):
An annual to perennial herb, 30-50 cm tall, erect or ascending, rooting at the nodes, stem obtusely quadrangular, thickened above the nodes, often tinged with red, covered with patent, fine hairs. Leaves opposite, simple, rhomboid-obovate to rhomboid-oblong, 1.3-15 cm × 0.7-6.5 cm, base contracted or narrowed, rounded, apex triangular, acute to obtuse, entire, ciliate, margin or blade often tinged red; petiole short. Inflorescence an erect, elongated raceme, terminal and in highest leaf-axils, straight or sinuous, 18-33 cm long, rachis densely pubescent; peduncle 1-12 cm long; flowers in small clusters, in the lower part of the raceme distant, in the higher part crowded, pedicel short, erect before anthesis, reflexed in fruiting, bracts ovate, acuminate; lower clusters with 2-3 bisexual flowers and several sterile ones, with up to 20 red, hooked awns, towards the apex fewer sterile flowers, at apex only solitary bisexual flowers, ripe clusters falling off as a whole. Flowers small; tepals 5, free, in bisexual flowers ovate-oblong, 2.5-3 mm long, strongly mucronate, dull pale green, glabrous within, externally clothed with patent long, white hairs, tepals of sterile flowers 1.7-2.5 mm long, sessile; stamens 5, filaments connate at base, free parts 1 mm long, anthers two-celled, pseudo-staminodes rectangular-cuneate, apex truncate; ovary superior, obovoid, one-celled, funicle short, style filiform, stigma capitellate. Fruit an ellipsoid utricle, 1.5-2 mm long, thin-walled, glabrous, one-seeded, surrounded by stiff perianth. Seed ovoid or ellipsoidal, 1-1.5 mm long, shiny brown. Seedling with epigeal germination.
Distribution
Cyathula prostrata is native to Africa, Asia and Papua New Guinea, Palau, Timor-Leste and North-East Australia in Oceania. It now has a pantropical distribution after being introduced in other countries in Oceania and in Central and South America.
Distribution Map
Distribution Table
Pathway Causes
Pathway cause | Notes | Long distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medicinal use (pathway cause) | Widely used in traditional medicine | Yes | Yes |
Habitat
Cyathula prostrata has a weedy habit and is found in forests, plantations, rough pastures, along roadsides and in wet areas such as by swamps and streams (Adams, 1972; PROTA, 2015; Useful Tropical Plants, 2020)
Habitat List
Category | Sub category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Terrestrial – Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Terrestrial – Managed | Disturbed areas | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Terrestrial – Managed | Rail / roadsides | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Terrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-natural | Wetlands | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Biology and Ecology
Genetics
The chromosome number of C. prostrata is 2n=48 (Chuakul et al., 2001)
Reproductive biology
The flowers of C. prostrata are pollinated by bees and wind (Useful Tropical Plants, 2020).
Physiology and phenology
Flowers from January to March and from June to July (Adams, 1972).
Environmental requirements
Cyathula prostrata prefers loamy and sandy soils (Useful Tropical Plants, 2020) and light to dense shade from sea-level up to 1650 m altitude (Chuakul et al., 2001; PROTA, 2015).
Climate
Climate type | Description | Preferred or tolerated | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Af - Tropical rainforest climate | > 60mm precipitation per month | Preferred | |
Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | Preferred | |
As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | Tolerated | |
Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | Tolerated |
List of Pests
Natural enemies
Natural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ferrisia virgata (striped mealybug) | Parasite | Other/All Stages | not specific |
Impact Summary
Category | Impact |
---|---|
Human health | Positive |
Impact: Economic
Cyathula prostrata has been reported as a weed in cocoa and rubber plantations (PROTA, 2015)
Risk and Impact Factors
Invasiveness
Proved invasive outside its native range
Has a broad native range
Abundant in its native range
Pioneering in disturbed areas
Fast growing
Reproduces asexually
Likelihood of entry/control
Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally
Uses
Social benefit
The following summary of medicinal and social uses is from PROTA (2015):
"In Peninsular Malaysia, C. prostrata is used internally and externally. The aerial parts in decoction are drunk against cough, and a decoction of the roots is used against dysentery. As a plaster, it is used for caterpillar itch, around the neck for cough and on the belly for intestinal worms or shingles. In Indonesia, the leaves mashed with water are a remedy for cholera, and an infusion of the whole plant is taken for fever and dysentery. In Papua New Guinea, the juice of the stem is used as an abortifacient. In Sierra Leone, the roots are used for this purpose. In the Philippines and Guinea, the ash of the burnt plant mixed with water is rubbed on the body for scabies and other skin ailments. In Thailand, the stem in decoction is taken as a diuretic and to increase menstrual discharge; the leaves are used for irritations of the throat; the flowers as an expectorant; and the roots against abnormal and frequent urination. In Vietnam, the roots in decoction are commonly drunk for colds and cough. In Indo-China, the same preparation is used for rheumatism and dropsy. In China, the stem and leaves are used as a mild laxative. In Taiwan, a decoction of the leaves is applied to snakebites. Throughout Africa, the plant is used to treat dysentery. In Cameroon, the plant is prescribed for articular rheumatism. In Cote d'Ivoire, the sap of the plant is used as ear drops for otitis and for headache, and the pulped plant is used on sores, burns and fractures, as a haemostatic and cicatrizant. In Gabon and Congo (Brazzaville), the leaves are eaten as a vegetable."
Uses List
Medicinal, pharmaceutical > Source of medicine/pharmaceutical
Human food and beverage > Vegetable
Links to Websites
Name | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
References
Acevedo-Rodríguez, P., Strong, M. T., 2012. Catalogue of the Seed Plants of the West Indies.Washington, DC, USA: Smithsonian Institution. 1192 pp. http://botany.si.edu/Antilles/WestIndies/catalog.htm
Adams, C. D., 1972. Flowering plants of Jamaica. Mona, Jamaica: University of the West Indies. 848 pp.
Broome, R., Sabir, K., Carrington, S., 2007. Plants of the Eastern Caribbean. Online database. In: Plants of the Eastern Caribbean. Online database.Barbados: University of the West Indies. http://ecflora.cavehill.uwi.edu/index.html
Burkill, H. M., 1995. The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vols. 1-3, 2. ed.Richmond, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 976 ; 648 ; 868 pp.
Chuakul, W, Soonthornchareonnon, N, Ruangsomboon, O, 2001. Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume [Internet] record. Bogor, Indonesia: PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation. http://www.proseanet.org
Ibrahim, B., Sowemimo, A., Rooyen, A. van, Venter, M. van de, 2012. Antiinflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of Cyathula prostrata (Linn.) Blume (Amaranthaceae).Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 141(1) 282-289.
Liogier, H. A., Martorell, L. F., 1982. Flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands: a systematic synopsis. Río Piedras, Puerto Rico: Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico.
Lorence, D. H., Flynn, T., 2010. Checklist of the plants of Kosrae. In: Checklist of the plants of Kosrae.Lawai, Hawaii, USA: National Tropical Botanical Garden. 26 pp.
PROTA, 2015. PROTA4U web database. [ed. by Grubben, GJH, Denton, OA]. Wageningen, Netherlands: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. http://www.prota4u.info
Setchell, W. A., 1924. American Samoa. Part 1. Vegetation of Tutuila Island. Part 2. Ethnobotany of the Samoans. Part 3. Vegetation of Rose Atoll. 318 pp.
Smith, A. C., 1981. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji (spermatophytes only). Volume 2. In: Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji (spermatophytes only). Volume 2.Kauai, Hawaii, USA: Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden. 818 pp.
Sowemimo, A. A., Venter, M. van de, Baatjies, L., Koekemoer, T., 2009. Cytotoxic activity of selected Nigerian plants.African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 6(4) 526-528. http://journals.sfu.ca/africanem/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/542
USDA-ARS, 2015. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database.Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx
Useful Tropical Plants, 2020. Useful tropical plants database. In: Useful tropical plants database. K Fern. http://tropical.theferns.info/
World Flora Online, 2020. World Flora Online. In: World Flora Online. World Flora Online Consortium. http://www.worldfloraonline.org
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History
Published online: 13 January 2017
Language
English
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