Achyrocline satureioides
(Lam.) DC.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Guillermo Menéndez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Daniel Chiesa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Daniel Chiesa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
Edible Uses
The yellow flowers are used as a flavoring for bitter spirits.
Traditional Uses
The flower is used as flavouring for bitter spirits.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
It is used as the medicinal plant symbol of Rio Grande do Sul state in Brazil. This plant is widely used in various countries which share the Guarani cultural heritage such as Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina, where it is used to treat stomach, digestive, and gastrointestinal disorders during pregnancy. The species' extract, which contains isorhamnetin, luteolin, and quercetin, is used to fight herpes. A. satureioides extract might have antiviral effects against the Western equine encephalitis virus. The extract could also have immunomodulatory properties. In general, it can help with management of viral respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2 also known as Covid. A. satureioides could also have effects on rat pregnancy. The rats had reduced delivery index and neonatal survival after being supplemented with Achyrocline satureioides. This also has an impact on variations in tissue-specific redox homeostasis and enzymatic activity, especially in the liver and kidney. It is also used extensively in South Portugal, in bonfires during popular celebrations where people enjoyed the smell of burnt marcela and chorizos... when unavailable, people would simply open shellfish in the fire pit, eat them with a bit of lemon and make traditional constructions from the leftover shells, an art passed throughout multiple generations. The plant, or sometimes just the flowers, are used to make tea. The heads of the flowers are used to make medicinal wines and bitters. The flowers are also crushed up and put in a pillow to help sleep.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows between sea level and 1,500 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, South America, Uruguay,
Cultivation
Found in tropical and subtropical climates at elevations up to 2,000 metres. Prefers a sandy soil.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Alecrim da parede, Macela, Marcala do campo, Marcela
References (4)
- Kinupp, V. F., 2007, Plantas alimenticias nao-convencionais da regiao metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil p 64
- Lim, T. K., Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants Volume 7 Flowers
- Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 4
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
