A Deep Dive into the Diverse World of Ageratina
As a plant enthusiast, I’m always fascinated by the sheer diversity of the plant kingdom. One genus that has particularly captured my attention is Ageratina, a group of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. This genus, commonly known as snakeroot, is home to over 300 species, each with its own unique characteristics and ecological roles.
What is Ageratina?
Ageratina plants are primarily perennials and shrubs, typically found in the warmer regions of the Americas and the West Indies. The genus name, Ageratina, translates to “like Ageratum,” referring to its resemblance to another genus in the Asteraceae family. This similarity is mainly due to the fluffy, clustered flowers that are characteristic of both genera. However, Ageratina distinguishes itself with its unique features, including its diverse growth habits and its preference for warmer climates.
A Diverse Genus
The genus Ageratina encompasses a wide array of species, each with its own distinct characteristics:
- Ageratina adenophora (Crofton weed): This invasive species, native to Mexico and Central America, has spread to many parts of the world, including Australia and New Zealand, where it poses a significant threat to native ecosystems.
- Ageratina altissima (White snakeroot): This North American species is notorious for its toxicity to livestock. It contains a toxin called tremetol, which can cause milk sickness in humans who consume milk or meat from affected animals.
- Ageratina aromatica (Small-flowered snakeroot): This species, native to the eastern United States, is known for its fragrant flowers and its ability to attract pollinators.
- Ageratina havanensis (Havana snakeroot): This species, endemic to Cuba, is characterized by its large, showy flower heads and its adaptability to various habitats.
- Ageratina acevedoana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina acevedoi H.Rob.
- Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina aegirophylla (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina amblyolepis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ampla (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina anchistea (Grashoff & Beaman) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina angustifolia (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina anisochroma (Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina apollinairei (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina appendiculata V.M.Badillo
- Ageratina aracaiensis V.M.Badillo
- Ageratina arbutifolia (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina areolaris (DC.) D.Gage ex B.L.Turner
- Ageratina aristeguietii R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina aristei (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina arsenei (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina asclepiadea (L.f.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina astellera (B.L.Turner) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina atrocordata (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina austin-smithii R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ayerscottiana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina baccharoides (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina badia (Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina barclayae R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina barriei B.L.Turner
- Ageratina beamanii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina bellidifolia (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina bishopii R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina blepharilepis (Sch.Bip.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina bobjansenii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina boekei R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina boyacensis R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina brandegeeana (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina brevipes (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina bustamenta (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina caeciliae (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina calaminthifolia (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina calophylla (Greene) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina campii H.Rob.
- Ageratina campyloclada (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina capazica V.M.Badillo
- Ageratina capillipes R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cardiophylla (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina carmonis (Standl. & Steyerm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cartagoensis R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina celestini (Cuatrec.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cerifera (McVaugh) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina chachapoyasensis (Cuatrec.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina chazaroana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina chimalapana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina chiriquensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina choricephala (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina choricephaloides (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina colimana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina collodes (B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina concordiana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina contigua R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina contorta (C.D.Adams) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina corylifolia (Griseb.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina crassiceps (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina crassimonticola Rzed.
- Ageratina crassiramea (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cremasta (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cronquistii R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cruzii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina cuatrecasasii R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cuencana (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cuicatlana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina cumbensis H.Rob.
- Ageratina cutervensis (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cuzcoensis (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina cylindrica (McVaugh) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina dasyneura (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina davidsei R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina deltoidea (Jacq.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina desquamans (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina dictyoneura (Urb.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina dillonii H.Rob.
- Ageratina diversipila R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina dolichobasis (McVaugh) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina dombeyana (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina dorrii V.M.Badillo
- Ageratina eleazarii Rzed.
- Ageratina elegans (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina enixa (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina espinosarum (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina etlana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina etlensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ewanii H.Rob.
- Ageratina fastigiata (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina feuereri H.Rob.
- Ageratina flaviseta (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina fleischmannioides H.Rob.
- Ageratina flourensifolia (B.L.Turner) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina funckii (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina geminata (McVaugh) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina gentryana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina gilbertii (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina glabrata (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina glandulifera (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina glauca (Sch.Bip. ex Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina glechonophylla (Less.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina glischra (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina gloeoclada (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina glyptophlebia (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina gonzaleziorum B.L.Turner
- Ageratina gracilenta (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina gracilis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina grandifolia (Regel) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina grashoffii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina guatemalensis R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina gynoxoides (Wedd.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina gypsophila B.L.Turner
- Ageratina halbertiana (McVaugh) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina harlingii H.Rob.
- Ageratina hartii (Urb.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina hasegawana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina hederifolia (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina helenae R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina henzium B.L.Turner
- Ageratina herbacea (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina hernandezii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina hidalgensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina hirtella R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina huahuapana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina huehueteca (Standl. & Steyerm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina humochica B.L.Turner
- Ageratina hyssopina (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ibaguensis (Sch.Bip. ex Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ilicifolia B.L.Turner
- Ageratina illita (Urb.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina iltisii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina infiernillensis R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina intercostulata (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina intibucensis R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina irrasa (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina isolepis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina jahnii (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina jaliscensis (B.L.Rob.) D.Gage ex B.L.Turner
- Ageratina jalpana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina jalpanserra B.L.Turner
- Ageratina jocotepecana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina josepaneroi B.L.Turner
- Ageratina josephensis Rodr.-Cabeza & S.DÃaz
- Ageratina jucunda (Greene) Clewell & Wooten
- Ageratina juxtlahuacensis Panero & Villaseñor
- Ageratina killipii H.Rob.
- Ageratina kochiana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina kupperi (Suess.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina lapsensis B.L.Turner
- Ageratina lasia (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina lasioneura (Hook. & Arn.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina latipes (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina leiocarpa (B.L.Rob.) D.Gage ex B.L.Turner
- Ageratina lemmonii (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina leptodictyon (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina liebmannii (Sch.Bip. ex Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ligustrina (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina lobulifera (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina lopez-mirandae R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina lorentzii (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina luciae-brauniae (Fernald) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina lucida (Ortega) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina macbridei (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina macdonaldii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina macvaughii R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina mairetiana (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina malacolepis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina manantlana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina maranonii H.Rob.
- Ageratina markporteri B.L.Turner
- Ageratina mayajana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina mazatecana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina megacephala B.L.Turner
- Ageratina megaphylla B.L.Turner
- Ageratina miahuatlana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina microcephala B.L.Turner
- Ageratina miquihuana (B.L.Turner) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina molinae R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina moorei B.L.Turner
- Ageratina mortoniana (Alain) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina muelleri (Sch.Bip. ex Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina mutiscuensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina neblinensis J.Montoya, E.Linares, Torres Marq., Vicente Orell.
- Ageratina neohintoniorum B.L.Turner
- Ageratina neriifolia (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina nesomii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina nubicola Pruski & Clase
- Ageratina oaxacana (Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ocanensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina occidentalis (Hook.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina oligocephala (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina oppositifolia (A.Gray) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina oreithales (Greenm.) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina ovilla (Standl. & Steyerm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina ozolotepecana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina palmeri (A.Gray) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina pampalcensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina paramensis (Aristeg.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina parayana (Espinosa) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina parviceps H.Rob.
- Ageratina paucibracteata (Alain) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pauciflora B.L.Turner
- Ageratina paupercula (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pazcuarensis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pelotropha (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pendula Panero & Villaseñor
- Ageratina pentlandiana (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina perezii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina persetosa H.Rob.
- Ageratina petiolaris (Moc. & Sessé ex DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina photina (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pochutlana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina popayanensis (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina potosina B.L.Turner
- Ageratina pringlei (B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina proba (N.E.Br.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina prunellifolia (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina prunifolia (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pseudochilca (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina pseudogracilis H.Rob.
- Ageratina psilodora (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina queretaroana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina ramireziorum (J.Espinosa) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina ramonensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rangelii H.Rob.
- Ageratina regalis H.Rob.
- Ageratina resinifera H.Rob.
- Ageratina resiniflua (Urb.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina reticulifora (Standl. & L.O.Williams) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rhodopappa (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rhodopoda (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rhomboidea (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rhypodes (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rhytidodes (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina riparia (Regel) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina riskindii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina rivalis (Greenm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina roanensis (Small) E.E.Lamont
- Ageratina robinsoniana (Greene) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina roraimensis (N.E.Br.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rosei H.Rob.
- Ageratina rothrockii (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rubricaulis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina rupicola (B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina salicifolia R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina saltillensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina salvadorensis R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina sandersii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina saxorum (Standl. & Steyerm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina schaffneri (Sch.Bip. ex B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina scopulorum (Wedd.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina scorodonioides (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina seleri B.L.Turner
- Ageratina serboana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina serrulata H.Rob.
- Ageratina shastensis (D.W.Taylor & Stebbins) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina simulans (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina sodiroi (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina soejimana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina solana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina sotarensis (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina sousae B.L.Turner
- Ageratina spooneri B.L.Turner
- Ageratina standleyi R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina sternbergiana (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina stictophylla (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina stricta (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina subcoriacea R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina subferruginea (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina subinclusa (Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina sundbergii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina tambillensis (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina tarmensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina tejalapana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina tenuis (R.E.Fr.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina textitlana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina theifolia (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina thyrsiflora (Greene) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina tinifolia (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina tomentella (Schrad.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina tonduzii (Klatt) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina tovarae H.Rob.
- Ageratina trianae H.Rob.
- Ageratina triangulata (Alamán ex DC.) B.L.Turner
- Ageratina triniona (McVaugh) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina tristis (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina urbani (Ekman ex Urb.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina vacciniifolia (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina vallincola (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina venulosa (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina vernalis (Vatke & Kurtz) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina vernicosa (Sch.Bip. ex Greenm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina viburnoides (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina viejoana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina villarrealii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina villonacoensis H.Rob.
- Ageratina viscosa (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina viscosissima (Rolfe) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina warnockii B.L.Turner
- Ageratina websteri H.Rob.
- Ageratina wrightii (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina wurdackii R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina yaharana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina yecorana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina zapalinama B.L.Turner
- Ageratina zaragozana B.L.Turner
- Ageratina zinniifolia (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
- Ageratina zunilana (Standl. & Steyerm.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
Ecological Importance
Ageratina plants play a crucial role in their respective ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for a variety of insects and animals, and their flowers are an important source of nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. However, some species, like Ageratina adenophora, can become invasive and disrupt the balance of native ecosystems. Therefore, it’s important to understand the ecological impact of each species and manage them accordingly.
Human Impact and Uses
While some Ageratina species are considered weeds due to their invasive nature, others have been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous communities. For instance, some species have been traditionally used to treat ailments such as fever, diarrhea, and snakebites. However, it’s crucial to note that the safety and efficacy of these traditional uses have not been scientifically proven, and caution should be exercised when using any plant for medicinal purposes.
Conservation Efforts
Given the ecological importance of Ageratina and the threats posed by invasive species, conservation efforts are crucial. These efforts include monitoring the spread of invasive species, protecting native habitats, and raising public awareness about the importance of biodiversity. By understanding and appreciating the diversity of Ageratina, we can contribute to the conservation of these fascinating plants and the ecosystems they support.