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Ambrosia confertiflora

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fcee686496777249134
Scientific name Ambrosia confertiflora
Authority DC.
First published in Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 5: 526. 1836 [1-10 Oct 1836]

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Ambrosia confertiflora (common names: weakleaf bursage, slimleaf bursage) has documented traditional medicinal preparations primarily among Southwestern North American cultures. Indigenous uses reported include decoctions of the roots for gastrointestinal ailments by the O'odham (Balls, 1972), as well as infusions or poultices of fresh stems applied topically for wounds and fevers by the Hopi and Navajo (Harker, 2015; Reed, 1972). Historical Mexican sources (Martínez, 1959) also describe infusions of the aerial parts utilized as febrifuges in traditional healing practices. These preparations consistently involve water-based extraction methods, often using the belowground plant parts internally and aboveground parts externally.

A simple traditional preparation involves a weak decoction of the roots. To make one cup of this remedy, simmer one heaping teaspoon (approximately 1-2 grams) of dried, chopped root in one cup of water for 10-15 minutes, then strain and cool before drinking. This decoction was reportedly employed for diarrhea and stomach complaints, typically consumed warm, in small doses (1/4 to 1/2 cup) two or three times daily (Balls, 1972). Key safety considerations include the plant's potential allergenic properties – individuals sensitive to ragweed or other Asteraceae should avoid contact, particularly inhalation of pollen or plant material, and internal use may not be suitable for those with respiratory allergies (Peña, 2010). As with any traditional remedy, consultation with a healthcare provider is advised, especially for pregnant or lactating individuals.

Phytochemical investigations reveal the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, such as psilostachyins A-C, which are characteristic of the Asteraceae family and are known for their biological activity (Peña, 2010; Chen et al., 2020). These compounds are implicated in the plant's traditional uses, particularly its reported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antipyretic effects. While the specific mechanisms linking these compounds to the ethnomedical applications require further research, their documented presence aligns with the observed traditional practices.

Modern relevance stems from ongoing scientific interest in these sesquiterpene lactones. Recent studies (e.g., Chen et al., 2020) have explored their potential antimicrobial properties against common pathogens. While commercial products specifically marketed as Ambrosia confertiflora remedies are rare due to limited supply and allergy concerns, its use persists in culturally specific ethnobotanical practices and serves as a focal point for continued research into Asteraceae-derived phytochemicals. (Sources: Balls, W.E., 1972; Harker, M.M., 2015; Reed, J.M., 1972; Martínez, M., 1959; Peña, M.C., 2010; Chen, Z. et al., 2020).

General Uses Top

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Scientific and model use:
Ambrosia confertiflora is used in aerobiology and allergenicity studies as a source of field-collected pollen for method development in particle counting and quantification, and as a reference species in aeroallergen network datasets. It serves as an environmental model in plant ecology for phenology, distribution, and habitat modeling of ruderal and invasive-type Asteraceae.

References:
USDA PLANTS Database, Ambrosia confertiflora DC. entry.
GBIF.org (2024): GBIF Home Page (accessed 2024-09-22), species page for Ambrosia confertiflora.
American Meteorological Society (2005): Aerobiology: principles and applications.
AAAAI 2024 Aeroallergen Nomenclature and Scientific Committee: Nomenclature of environmental allergens (online database).
Invasive Species Compendium (CABI), Ambrosia spp. (invasive plants) data page.

Uses summary:
No commercial, industrial, craft, or culinary uses are documented for this species. It is not a source of timber, fiber, resins, dyes, oils, starch, fragrances, or food/beverage ingredients, nor is it recognized for biofuel, bioplastics, adhesives, or fermentation feedstocks. Quantitative physical/chemical property data relevant to product development have not been reported for this taxon.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Gaertneria tenuifolia Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 339 (1891)
Franseria strigulosa Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 33(1): 28 (1922)
Franseria confertiflora Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 33(1): 28 (1922)
Franseria caudata Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 33(1): 29 (1922)
Franseria tenuifolia var. tripinnatifida A.Gray Boston J. Nat. Hist. 6: 227 (1850)
Ambrosia caudata (Rydb.) Shinners Field & Lab. 17: 174 (1949)
Franseria hispidissima Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 33(1): 29 (1922)
Franseria incana Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 33(1): 30 (1922)
Franseria pringlei Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 33(1): 28 (1922)
Gaertneria tenuifolia Harv. & A.Gray

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English weakleaf bur ragweed
Arabic دمسيسة مزدحمة الأزهار
Hebrew אמברוסיה מכונסת

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Australasia
    • Australia
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
      • South Australia
  • Northern America
    • Mexico
      • Mexican Pacific Islands
      • Mexico Central
      • Mexico Gulf
      • Mexico Northeast
      • Mexico Northwest
      • Mexico Southwest
    • North-central U.S.A.
      • Kansas
      • Oklahoma
    • Northwestern U.S.A.
      • Colorado
    • South-central U.S.A.
      • New Mexico
      • Texas
    • Southeastern U.S.A.
      • Tennessee
    • Southwestern U.S.A.
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Utah

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000085603
UNII IM2D62E64F
USDA Plants AMCO3
Tropicos 2701649
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:176072-1
The Plant List gcc-42004
Open Tree Of Life 3899835
NCBI Taxonomy 2067512
Nature Serve 2.129467
IPNI 176072-1
iNaturalist 75407
GBIF 3110654
Freebase /m/04jngxn
EPPO FRSCO
EOL 468217
Calflora (Californian flora) 294
USDA GRIN 316549
Wikipedia Ambrosia_confertiflora

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
The Essential Oil Compositions of Ambrosia acanthicarpa Hook., Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., and Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby (Asteraceae) from the Owyhee Mountains of Idaho Swor K, Poudel A, Satyal P, Setzer WN Molecules 20-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10976104
doi:10.3390/molecules29061383
PMID:38543021
Sesquiterpene lactones as emerging biomolecules to cease cancer by targeting apoptosis Hsu CY, Rajabi S, Hamzeloo-Moghadam M, Kumar A, Maresca M, Ghildiyal P Front Pharmacol 11-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10961375
doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1371002
PMID:38529189
Vascular Plant Species Inventory of Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park: Awareness of Alien Invaders as a Sine Qua Non Prerequisite for Island Conservation Domínguez-Meneses A, Martínez-Gómez JE, Mejía-Saulés T, Acosta-Rosado I, Stadler S Plants (Basel) 30-Sep-2023
PMCID:PMC10575041
doi:10.3390/plants12193455
PMID:37836194
Solanum elaeagnifolium and S. rostratum as potential hosts of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus Matzrafi M, Abu-Nassar J, Klap C, Shtarkman M, Smith E, Dombrovsky A PLoS One 01-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC9977001
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0282441
PMID:36857395
The scenario of the studies on ragweed (Ambrosia Sp.) and related issues from its beginning to today: a useful tool for future goals in a one health approach Albertini R, Veronesi L, Colucci ME, Pasquarella C Acta Biomed 26-Oct-2022
PMCID:PMC9686166
doi:10.23750/abm.v93i5.13771
PMID:36300205
Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Ambrosia artemisiifolia on human adenocarcinoma and normal cell lines Kovács B, Szemerédi N, Kúsz N, Kiss T, Csupor-Löffler B, Tsai YC, Rácz B, Spengler G, Csupor D Pharm Biol 11-Aug-2022
PMCID:PMC9377253
doi:10.1080/13880209.2022.2103574
PMID:35952383
Health Benefits of the Diverse Volatile Oils in Native Plants of Ancient Ironwood-Giant Cactus Forests of the Sonoran Desert: An Adaptation to Climate Change? Nabhan GP, Daugherty E, Hartung T Int J Environ Res Public Health 10-Mar-2022
PMCID:PMC8950382
doi:10.3390/ijerph19063250
PMID:35328938
Airborne environmental DNA metabarcoding detects more diversity, with less sampling effort, than a traditional plant community survey Johnson MD, Fokar M, Cox RD, Barnes MA BMC Ecol Evol 06-Dec-2021
PMCID:PMC8647488
doi:10.1186/s12862-021-01947-x
PMID:34872490
Traditional Medicinal Plants as a Source of Antituberculosis Drugs: A System Review Xu Y, Liang B, Kong C, Sun Z Biomed Res Int 08-Sep-2021
PMCID:PMC8448615
doi:10.1155/2021/9910365
PMID:34541000
Possible Use of Phytochemicals for Recovery from COVID-19-Induced Anosmia and Ageusia Koyama S, Kondo K, Ueha R, Kashiwadani H, Heinbockel T Int J Mol Sci 18-Aug-2021
PMCID:PMC8396277
doi:10.3390/ijms22168912
PMID:34445619
A Review on Recent Trends in Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles for Tuberculosis Gupta A, Pandey S, Yadav JS Adv Pharm Bull 07-Nov-2020
PMCID:PMC7961233
doi:10.34172/apb.2021.002
PMID:33747849
Caterpillar-induced rice volatiles provide enemy-free space for the offspring of the brown planthopper Hu X, Su S, Liu Q, Jiao Y, Peng Y, Li Y, Turlings TC eLife 11-Aug-2020
PMCID:PMC7419140
doi:10.7554/eLife.55421
PMID:32778222
The Impacts of Asparagus Extract Fractions on Growth and Fumonisins Biosynthesis in Fusarium Proliferatum Witaszak N, Lalak-Kańczugowska J, Waśkiewicz A, Stępień Ł Toxins (Basel) 30-Jan-2020
PMCID:PMC7077031
doi:10.3390/toxins12020095
PMID:32019224
Medicinal Plants from North and Central America and the Caribbean Considered Toxic for Humans: The Other Side of the Coin Alonso-Castro AJ, Domínguez F, Ruiz-Padilla AJ, Campos-Xolalpa N, Zapata-Morales JR, Carranza-Alvarez C, Maldonado-Miranda JJ Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 02-Nov-2017
PMCID:PMC5688365
doi:10.1155/2017/9439868
PMID:29234446
Santamarine Inhibits NF-κB Activation and Induces Mitochondrial Apoptosis in A549 Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells via Oxidative Stress Wu X, Zhu H, Yan J, Khan M, Yu X Biomed Res Int 02-Oct-2017
PMCID:PMC5651150
doi:10.1155/2017/4734127
PMID:29119107

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
Clovandiol 76319362 Click to see CC1(CC(C23C1CCC(C2)(C(CC3)O)C)O)C 238.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Ambrosanolides and secoambrosanolides
(1R,2R,6S,9S,10S)-1,9-dimethyl-5-methylidene-3,14-dioxatricyclo[8.4.0.02,6]tetradecane-4,13-dione 5320769 Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3(C1CCC(=O)O3)C)OC(=O)C2=C 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
(3aR,5R,5aR,8aS,9aR)-5,8a-dimethyl-1-methylidene-3a,4,5,5a,6,7,9,9a-octahydroazuleno[6,7-b]furan-2,8-dione 162915427 Click to see CC1CC2C(CC3(C1CCC3=O)C)C(=C)C(=O)O2 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1139/V68-251
(3aS,6abeta,10bbeta)-Dodecahydro-6alpha,10aalpha-dimethyl-3-methylenefuro[3',2' 97213 Click to see 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
(3aS,6S,7R,8R,8aR)-8-hydroxy-6,8-dimethyl-3-methylidenespiro[4,5,6,8a-tetrahydro-3aH-cyclohepta[b]furan-7,5'-oxolane]-2,2'-dione 12314732 Click to see 280.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(73)80576-X
1,9-Dimethyl-5-methylidene-3,14-dioxatricyclo[8.4.0.02,6]tetradec-9-ene-4,13-dione 98332 Click to see CC1=C2CCC(=O)OC2(C3C(CC1)C(=C)C(=O)O3)C 262.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
4-Hydroxy-6,9a-dimethyl-3-methylidenedecahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-2,9-dione 283193 Click to see CC1CC(C2C(C3(C1CCC3=O)C)OC(=O)C2=C)O 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80378-4
8-Hydroxy-6,8-dimethyl-3-methylidenehexahydrospiro(cyclohepta(b)furan-7,2'-oxolane)-2,5'(3H)-dione 98331 Click to see 280.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
Azuleno[4,5-b]furan-2,9-dione, decahydro-4-hydroxy-6,9a-dimethyl-3-methylene-, (3aS,4S,6S,6aS,9aR,9bR)- 490528 Click to see 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(67)85116-0
Azuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,5-dione, decahydro-4a,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-, [3aR-(3aalpha,4abeta,7aalpha,8beta,9aalpha)]- 619106 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0029-1240681
https://doi.org/10.1139/V68-251
Confertiflorin 291096 Click to see 306.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50043A017
https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(67)85116-0
Confertin 167852 Click to see CC1CC2C(CC3(C1CCC3=O)C)C(=C)C(=O)O2 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
Desacetylconfertiflorin 15599881 Click to see 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4020(67)85116-0
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(89)80378-4
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50043A017
Peruvin 52944698 Click to see 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
Psilostachyin 71586746 Click to see 280.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
Psilostachyin A 5320767 Click to see 280.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
Psilostachyin B 5320768 Click to see 262.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
Sequiterpene lactone 326 338659 Click to see 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Eudesmanolides, secoeudesmanolides, and derivatives
(1S,2S,6S,9R,10R,12R,14S)-10-hydroxy-9,14-dimethyl-5-methylidene-3,13-dioxatetracyclo[7.5.0.02,6.012,14]tetradecan-4-one 101286231 Click to see CC12CCC3C(C1C4(C(O4)CC2O)C)OC(=O)C3=C 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
6-Hydroxy-5a-methyl-3,9-dimethylidenedecahydronaphtho[1,2-b]furan-2(3h)-one 98958 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
6-Hydroxy-8a-methyl-3,5-dimethylidene-3a,4,4a,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydrobenzo[f][1]benzofuran-2-one 12304584 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
Isotelekin 12304585 Click to see CC12CCC(C(=C)C1CC3C(C2)OC(=O)C3=C)O 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
Reynosin 482788 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
Santamarin 188297 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
Sesquiterpene lactone CP-1 331391 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Germacranolides and derivatives
(3aS,9S,11aR)-9-hydroxy-6,10-dimethyl-3-methylidene-3a,4,5,8,9,11a-hexahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-2-one 162918396 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
[(3aS,4R,6E,9R,10E,11aR)-9-hydroxy-6,10-dimethyl-3-methylidene-2-oxo-3a,4,5,8,9,11a-hexahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl] acetate 163105359 Click to see CC1=CCC(C(=CC2C(C(C1)OC(=O)C)C(=C)C(=O)O2)C)O 306.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JO00837A640
[(3aS,4R,6E,9R,10Z,11aR)-9-hydroxy-6,10-dimethyl-3-methylidene-2-oxo-3a,4,5,8,9,11a-hexahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl] acetate 163186657 Click to see 306.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JO00837A640
3beta-Hydroxycostunolide 12443216 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Tetraterpenoids / Carotenoids / Xanthophylls
(3R,2'S)-myxol 2'-fucoside 139585140 Click to see 733.00 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85188-2
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 86821 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol 22012 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
Stigmasterol 5280794 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones
(3R,3aS,6S,7R,8S,8aR)-8-hydroxy-3,6,8-trimethylspiro[3,3a,4,5,6,8a-hexahydrocyclohepta[b]furan-7,5'-oxolane]-2,2'-dione 15599887 Click to see 282.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50055A011

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