163 Species in Genus Calea

Calea: A Journey into the World of Medicinal Plants

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’ve always been fascinated by the natural world, especially the incredible diversity and potential of plants. One genus that has particularly captured my attention is Calea, a group of flowering plants belonging to the aster family, Asteraceae. Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, Central America, and South America, Calea encompasses a wide array of species, many of which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine.

Discovering the Diversity of Calea

The Calea genus is incredibly diverse, with over 100 recognized species. These plants come in various forms, from shrubs and subshrubs to vines and even small trees. They often boast beautiful flowers, ranging in color from bright yellow and orange to delicate white and purple. Here are:

1. Calea abbreviata Pruski & Urbatsch
2. Calea abelioides S.F.Blake
3. Calea acaulis Baker
4. Calea aldamoides G.H.L. da Silva, Bringel & A.M.Teles
5. Calea angosturana Hieron.
6. Calea angusta S.F.Blake
7. Calea anomala Hassl.
8. Calea arachnoidea G.A.R.Silva & J.N.Nakaj.
9. Calea asclepiifolia Hassl.
10. Calea bahiensis (Mattf.) H.Rob.
11. Calea bakeriana Chodat
12. Calea berteroana DC.
13. Calea bishopii H.Rob.
14. Calea brittoniana Pruski
15. Calea bucaramangensis Pruski & Urbatsch
16. Calea cabrerae Pruski
17. Calea caleoides (DC.) H.Rob.
18. Calea camani Maguire & K.D.Phelps
19. Calea candolleana Baker
20. Calea chapadensis Malme
21. Calea chodatii Hassl.
22. Calea clausseniana Baker
23. Calea clematidea Baker
24. Calea colombiana Gand.
25. Calea coriacea DC.
26. Calea coridifolia Pruski
27. Calea coronopifolia Sch.Bip. ex Krasch.
28. Calea × crassa V.R.Bueno & G.Heiden
29. Calea crassifolia Standl. & Steyerm.
30. Calea crenata Chodat
31. Calea crocinervosa Wussow, Urbatsch & G.A.Sullivan
32. Calea cuneifolia DC.
33. Calea cymosa Less.
34. Calea dalyi Pruski & Urbatsch
35. Calea diamantinensis G.A.R.Silva & J.N.Nakaj.
36. Calea diffusa Pruski
37. Calea divaricata Benth.
38. Calea divergens Sch.Bip. ex Baker
39. Calea elongata Baker
40. Calea esposi Maguire & K.D.Phelps
41. Calea ferruginea Baker
42. Calea fluviatilis S.F.Blake
43. Calea formosa Chodat
44. Calea fruticosa (Gardner) Urbatsch, Zlotsky & Pruski
45. Calea funkiana V.R.Bueno & G.Heiden
46. Calea gardneriana Baker
47. Calea gargantae Cuatrec.
48. Calea gentianoides DC.
49. Calea graminifolia Sch.Bip. ex Krasch.
50. Calea grandiflora V.R.Bueno & G.Heiden
51. Calea granitica Pruski
52. Calea grazielae J.U.Santos
53. Calea harleyi H.Rob.
54. Calea harlingii H.Rob.
55. Calea hassleriana Chodat
56. Calea hatschbachii Pruski & D.J.N.Hind
57. Calea heteropappa Pruski & Urbatsch
58. Calea huanchacana Pruski
59. Calea huigrensis S.F.Blake
60. Calea hymenolepis Baker
61. Calea hypericifolia Baker
62. Calea ilienii Malme
63. Calea intermedia Pruski & Urbatsch
64. Calea irwinii G.M.Barroso
65. Calea jamaicensis (L.) L.
66. Calea jelskii Hieron.
67. Calea kingii H.Rob.
68. Calea kirkbridei H.Rob.
69. Calea kristiniae Pruski
70. Calea kunhardtii Maguire
71. Calea lantanoides Gardner
72. Calea lemmatioides Sch.Bip. ex Baker
73. Calea linearifolia Maguire & Wurdack
74. Calea longifolia Baker
75. Calea longipedicellata B.L.Rob. & Greenm.
76. Calea lucida Maguire & Wurdack
77. Calea lucidivenia Gleason & S.F.Blake
78. Calea lutea Pruski & Urbatsch
79. Calea marginata S.F.Blake
80. Calea martiana Baker
81. Calea mediterranea (Vell.) Pruski
82. Calea megacephala B.L.Rob. & Greenm.
83. Calea melissifolia Baker
84. Calea microphylla Baker
85. Calea monocephala Dusén
86. Calea montana Klatt
87. Calea morii H.Rob.
88. Calea multiplinervia Less.
89. Calea myrtifolia (DC.) Baker
90. Calea nana Maguire
91. Calea neblinensis (Maguire & Wurdack) Pruski
92. Calea nelsonii B.L.Rob. & Greenm.
93. Calea nematophylla Pruski
94. Calea nervosa G.M.Barroso
95. Calea nitida Less.
96. Calea oaxacana (B.L.Turner) B.L.Turner
97. Calea oliveri B.L.Rob. & Greenm.
98. Calea orbiculata Maguire & Aristeg.
99. Calea ottohuberi Pruski
100. Calea oxylepis Baker
101. Calea papposa Malme
102. Calea paraguayensis (Kuntze) Deble
103. Calea × parviantha V.R.Bueno & G.Heiden
104. Calea parvifolia Baker
105. Calea perijaensis Cuatrec.
106. Calea perimbricata Cuatrec.
107. Calea peruviana Benth. ex S.F.Blake
108. Calea phelpsiae Lasser & Maguire
109. Calea phyllolepis Baker
110. Calea pilosa Baker
111. Calea pinheiroi H.Rob.
112. Calea pinnatifida (R.Br. ex Steud.) DC.
113. Calea pohliana Sch.Bip. ex Baker
114. Calea politii Maguire
115. Calea polycephala (Baker) H.Rob.
116. Calea prunifolia Kunth
117. Calea pruskiana V.R.Bueno & G.Heiden
118. Calea punctata Maguire & Wurdack
119. Calea purpurea G.M.Barroso
120. Calea quadrifolia Pruski & Urbatsch
121. Calea ramosissima Baker
122. Calea repanda V.R.Bueno, Gostel & G.Heiden
123. Calea reticulata Gardner
124. Calea rhombifolia S.F.Blake
125. Calea robinsoniana Pruski
126. Calea rojasiana Chodat
127. Calea rotundifolia (Less.) Baker
128. Calea rupicola Chodat
129. Calea saxatilis Cuatrec.
130. Calea semirii Pruski & D.J.N.Hind
131. Calea senecioides Baker
132. Calea septuplinervia Hieron.
133. Calea serrata Less.
134. Calea sessiliflora Less.
135. Calea sessilifolia V.R.Bueno & G.Heiden
136. Calea sickii (G.M.Barroso) Urbatsch, Zlotsky & Pruski
137. Calea sipapoana Maguire
138. Calea solidaginea Kunth
139. Calea spiralis V.R.Bueno, Gostel & G.Heiden
140. Calea stenophylla Baker
141. Calea subcordata S.F.Blake
142. Calea subintegerrima (Malme) V.R.Bueno & G.Heiden
143. Calea sublantanoides V.M.Badillo
144. Calea szyszylowiczii Hieron.
145. Calea ternifolia Kunth
146. Calea teucriifolia Baker
147. Calea tocantina Pruski
148. Calea tolimana Hieron.
149. Calea triantha (Vell.) Pruski
150. Calea tricephala Maguire
151. Calea trichotoma Donn.Sm.
152. Calea tridactylita Sch.Bip. ex Krasch.
153. Calea trujilloi V.M.Badillo
154. Calea ulei Hieron.
155. Calea umbellulata Hochr.
156. Calea uniflora Less.
157. Calea urticifolia (Mill.) DC.
158. Calea venosa Pruski
159. Calea verticillata (Klatt) Pruski
160. Calea villosa Sch.Bip. ex Baker
161. Calea wedelioides S.F.Blake
162. Calea yariguiensis Rodr.-Cabeza & S.Díaz
163. Calea yuruparina Cuatrec.

Traditional Uses and Modern Research

For generations, indigenous communities have utilized Calea plants for their potential healing properties. Traditional uses vary depending on the specific species and local customs, but some common applications include:

• Treating respiratory ailments: Some Calea species are used to alleviate symptoms of colds, flu, and coughs.
• Reducing inflammation: Certain species are believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties and are used to treat conditions like arthritis and skin irritations.
• Promoting relaxation and sleep: Some species, like Calea zacatechichi, are used to induce relaxation and improve sleep quality.
• Addressing gastrointestinal issues: Calea plants have been traditionally used to treat digestive problems such as diarrhea and stomach aches.

While traditional knowledge provides valuable insights, modern scientific research is beginning to shed light on the specific compounds and mechanisms responsible for the purported effects of Calea. Studies have identified various bioactive compounds in Calea species, including flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and diterpenes. These compounds have shown promising results in preliminary research for their potential:

• Anti-inflammatory activity: Studies suggest that certain Calea species may help reduce inflammation.
• Antioxidant properties: Some Calea species have demonstrated antioxidant activity, which could protect cells from damage.
• Anticancer potential: Early research indicates that some compounds found in Calea may have anti-cancer properties, although further studies are needed.

The Future of Calea Research

Despite the growing body of research, there is still much to learn about the Calea genus. Further investigation is crucial to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of these plants. Future research should focus on:

• Identifying and isolating specific bioactive compounds: This will help determine the precise mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications.
• Conducting clinical trials: Rigorous clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Calea species for specific health conditions.
• Exploring sustainable cultivation and harvesting practices: As interest in Calea grows, it’s important to ensure sustainable practices to protect these valuable plant resources.

The Calea genus holds immense promise for the development of new medicines and therapies. By combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods, we can unlock the full potential of these fascinating plants and contribute to a healthier future.