Wild maracuja

Description

Parthenium hysterophorus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It is native to the American tropics. Common names include Santa-Maria, Santa Maria feverfew, whitetop weed, and famine weed. In India, it is locally known as carrot grass, congress grass or Gajar Ghas. It is a common invasive species in India, Australia, and parts of Africa. Parthenium is a genus of North American shrubs in the sunflower tribe within the daisy family and subfamily Asteroideae. The name Parthenium is an evolution of the Ancient Greek name παρθένιον (parthenion), which referred to Tanacetum parthenium. The name is possibly derived from the Greek word παρθένος (parthenos) which means "virgin". Parthenium is called Gajar Ghans and is the most common invasive species in India. Parthenium hysterophorus plant causes milk disease in livestock and also responsible for respiratory malfunction in humans. Members of the genus are commonly known as feverfew. Notable species include guayule (P. argentatum) which has been used as a rubber substitute, especially during the Second World War; and also P. hysterophorus, a serious invasive species in the Old World.