Chamaeleon gummifer | |
---|---|
Flowering specimen of Chamaeleon gummifer | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Chamaeleon |
Species: | C. gummifer
|
Binomial name | |
Chamaeleon gummifer (
L.) Cass.
| |
Synonyms [2] | |
|
Chamaeleon gummifer, also known as distaff thistle or stemless atractylis, is a thistle in the Chamaeleon genus. Formerly, it was placed in the Atractylis genus. [1] It is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it can be found in various habitats, including cultivated- or uncultivated fields and forests. [3] [1] It is a perennial herb producing a stemless, pinkish flower. The plant has a history of use in folk medicine, but it is very toxic due to the presence of atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside. [4]
Chamaeleon gummifer is a perennial thistle with a long rhizome extending up to 40 cm and spiky leaves emanating from its center. [5] [4] A pinkish inflorescence grows in the center, seen as a capitulum consisting of many small threadlike flowers. [4] The inflorescence is surrounded by spiny bracts. [5] Unusual compared to other thistles is the fact that the inflorescence of Chamaeleon gummifer does not grow on a stem. The ripe fruit of the plant may ooze a white or yellowish gummy latex produced by the rhizome. [4] Chamaeleon gummifer flowers in late summer or early autumn. [3]
Chamaeleon gummifer can be found along the Mediterranean basin, including Northern Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Greece and Malta. [1] [3] It grows in various habitats and on various substrates, including in cultivated- or uncultivated fields, shrublands, forests and in rocklands. [1] It is rated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. [1]
The toxicity of Chamaeleon gummifer is thought to be caused by two related glycosides, atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside. [4] In Morocco, Chamaeleon gummifer is a common cause of plant poisoning, with children being especially vulnerable to severe effects. [6] Accidental ingestion of the plant can be due to confusion with the artichoke thistle, or due to use of its gummy discharge as a chewing gum. [6] Fatal cases of poisoning are not uncommon, even with treatment of symptoms. [6] [7] At least 98 fatalities occurred due to Chamaeleon gummifer poisoning in Morocco between 1981 and 2004, most of whom were children under the age of 16. [8] Severe cases may be associated with liver and kidney failure. [9] [7] There is currently no specific treatment to poisoning by Chamaeleon gummifer. [4]
Chamaeleon gummifer | |
---|---|
Flowering specimen of Chamaeleon gummifer | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Chamaeleon |
Species: | C. gummifer
|
Binomial name | |
Chamaeleon gummifer (
L.) Cass.
| |
Synonyms [2] | |
|
Chamaeleon gummifer, also known as distaff thistle or stemless atractylis, is a thistle in the Chamaeleon genus. Formerly, it was placed in the Atractylis genus. [1] It is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it can be found in various habitats, including cultivated- or uncultivated fields and forests. [3] [1] It is a perennial herb producing a stemless, pinkish flower. The plant has a history of use in folk medicine, but it is very toxic due to the presence of atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside. [4]
Chamaeleon gummifer is a perennial thistle with a long rhizome extending up to 40 cm and spiky leaves emanating from its center. [5] [4] A pinkish inflorescence grows in the center, seen as a capitulum consisting of many small threadlike flowers. [4] The inflorescence is surrounded by spiny bracts. [5] Unusual compared to other thistles is the fact that the inflorescence of Chamaeleon gummifer does not grow on a stem. The ripe fruit of the plant may ooze a white or yellowish gummy latex produced by the rhizome. [4] Chamaeleon gummifer flowers in late summer or early autumn. [3]
Chamaeleon gummifer can be found along the Mediterranean basin, including Northern Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Greece and Malta. [1] [3] It grows in various habitats and on various substrates, including in cultivated- or uncultivated fields, shrublands, forests and in rocklands. [1] It is rated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. [1]
The toxicity of Chamaeleon gummifer is thought to be caused by two related glycosides, atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside. [4] In Morocco, Chamaeleon gummifer is a common cause of plant poisoning, with children being especially vulnerable to severe effects. [6] Accidental ingestion of the plant can be due to confusion with the artichoke thistle, or due to use of its gummy discharge as a chewing gum. [6] Fatal cases of poisoning are not uncommon, even with treatment of symptoms. [6] [7] At least 98 fatalities occurred due to Chamaeleon gummifer poisoning in Morocco between 1981 and 2004, most of whom were children under the age of 16. [8] Severe cases may be associated with liver and kidney failure. [9] [7] There is currently no specific treatment to poisoning by Chamaeleon gummifer. [4]