Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants

Distribution

Biogeografic region: Amazonia, Andean, Caribbean. Elevation range: 50–3600 m a.s.l. Native to Colombia. Colombian departments: Amazonas, Antioquia, Atlántico, Bogotá DC, Boyacá, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Huila, Magdalena, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Santander, Valle del Cauca.

Habit

Herb.

Ecology

Habitat according IUCN Habitats Classification: forest and woodland, savanna, shrubland, wetlands (inland), artificial - terrestrial.

Vernacular

Apazote, Camatai, Chemen contra, Epazota, Paico, Pasote, Pazote, Semen contra, Shipiwai, Simen contra, Wormweed, Yerba santa

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

Chenopodiaceae, J. P. M. Brenan. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1954

Morphology General Habit

Herb up to 120 cm. high, usually annual, rarely a short-lived perennial, polymorphic (principally in America), upright, much branched, green (? occasionally red-tinged), variably pubescent or hairy especially on stem, also with numerous yellowish sessile glands particularly on lower side of leaves, strongly aromatic.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves variable, lanceolate in outline to more rarely elliptic or obovate, mostly 1.5–10 cm. long and 0.4–4.3 cm. wide, entire to laciniate or pinnatifid; upper leaves and bracts smaller and narrower.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence an ample much-branched panicle with small sessile flower-clusters arranged spicately along the ultimate branches.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers greenish, 0.5–1.5 mm. in diameter.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 3–5 (♀ flowers) 4–5 (hermaphrodite flowers), pubescent to glabrous, glandular, variably connate, smooth or very rarely keeled.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4–5.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pericarp easily removed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds deep red-brown to blackish or shining, 0.5–1.25 (–1.5) mm. in diameter, bluntly keeled, testa under microscope almost smooth or shallowly and irregularly pitted, usually marked also with sinuose lines.

Bernal, R., Gradstein, S.R. & Celis, M. (eds.). 2015. Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co

Distribution

Naturalizada en Colombia; Alt. 50 - 3600 m.; Amazonia, Andes, Llanura del Caribe, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Valle del Cauca, Valle del Magdalena.

Morphology General Habit

Hierba

Conservation

Preocupación Menor

Chenopodiaceae, J. P. M. Brenan. Flora Zambesiaca 9:1. 1988

Morphology General Habit

Herb, usually annual, rarely a short-lived perennial, up to 180 cm. high, upright, much branched, green (? occasionally red-tinged), shortly and inconspicuously pubescent or puberulous, often with some longer hairs on stem, also with numerous yellowish sessile glands particularly on inferior side of leaves, strongly aromatic.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves mostly lanceolate, the inferior with several (to c.10) coarse irregular ascending teeth on each margin, 3–14 × 0.5–4.5 cm.; superior leaves becoming smaller narrower and linear-entire, bracts even smaller, down to 23 × 0.5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence an ample much branched pancile of small sessile clusters of flowers arranged spicately along the ultimate branches, all or some clusters bracteate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth-segments 3–5 (female flowers), 4–5 (unisexual flowers), pubescent to glabrous, glandular, variable connate, smooth and not at all dorsally keeled keeled.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4–5.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Pericarp easily removed. Seeds deep red-brown, about 0.5–0.8 mm. in diam.; testa (see under microscope) almost smooth and with faintly impressed sinuouse lines.

Distribution

Found in Boyacá, Colombia.

The Useful Plants of Boyacá project

Morphology General Habit

Herb.

Ecology

Alt. 50 - 3600 m.

Distribution

Naturalised in Colombia.

Use Food

Food (Cadena González 2010).

Use Food Food Additives

Used as a condiment (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010).

Use Materials Essential Oils

Used for essential oils (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010).

Use Materials Unspecified Materials Chemicals

Materials (State of the World's Plants 2016).

Use Medicines Digestive System Disorders

Leaves and infructescences - Used in liquid medicines (Cadena González 2010). Stems - Used in liquid medicines in the treatment of stomach complaints (Cadena González 2010).

Use Medicines Infections & Infestations

Leaves and infructescences - Used in liquid medicines (Lagos-López 2007, Cadena González 2010). Used in the treatment of helminth worm infestations (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010). Stems - Used in liquid medicines (Lagos-López 2007, Cadena González 2010).