Snow squarestem
Melanthera nivea
Synonyms: Melanthera discoidea, Echinocephalum discoideum, Melanthera crenata, Amellus echinocephalon, Melanthera lanceolata, Amellus asper var. glabriusculus, Bidens nivea, Amellus asper, Melanthera canescens f. bicolor, Melanthera brevifolia, Melanthera linearis, Melanthera aspera, Calea aspera, Melanthera carpenteri, Melanthera molliuscula, Melanthera calcicola, Melanthera longipes, Amellus asper f. bicolor, Melanthera aspera var. glabriuscula, Melanthera hastata var. parvifolia, Melanthera urticifolia, Melanthera amethystina, Melanthera microphylla, Melanthera angustifolia var. subhastata, Amellus oxylepis, Melananthera deltoidea, Melanthera deltoidea, Amellus microphyllus, Wulffia hastata, Melanthera oxylepis, Athanasia hastata, Wulffia angustifolia, Melanthera hastata subsp. lobata, Melanthera hastata var. cubensis, Melanthera confusa, Melanthera oxycarpha, Elephantopus cuneifolius, Melanthera linnaei, Amellus lanceolatus, Amellus discoideus, Amellus asper var. normalis, Amellus asper var. canescens, Melanthera lobata, Melanthera ligulata, Melanthera canescens, Melanthera montana, Melanthera buchii, Melanthera aspera var. canescens, Melanthera hastifolia, Melanthera aspera var. subhastata, Melanthera amellus var. subhastata, Melanthera trilobata, Melanthera angustifolia, Amellus niveus, Melananthera hastata, Melanthera hastata, Melanthera panduriformis, Melanthera hastata subsp. cubensis, Melanthera purpurascens, Wulffia deltoidea, Melanthera parviceps, Melanthera hastata var. pandurata, Melanthera corymbosa, Melanthera hastata var. lobata
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Botanical Description
Melanthera nivea, commonly known as snow squarestem or salt-and-pepper, is an erect perennial herb in the family Asteraceae native to the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, where it grows in moist open woods, clearings, hammocks, roadsides and disturbed ground in subtropical and tropical lowlands. It typically grows 0.6 to 2 metres tall on stiffly erect, four-angled and somewhat hairy stems, giving rise to the common name squarestem. Leaves are opposite, ovate to triangular-hastate, often three-lobed at the base, 5 to 15 centimetres long, with serrate margins and a rough, sandpapery texture from short stiff hairs on both surfaces. The flower heads are discoid and lack ray florets, composed of numerous small white disc florets with prominent dark anthers projecting beyond the corollas, the contrast giving the plant its salt-and-pepper appearance. Heads are borne in long-stalked terminal clusters from late spring through autumn, followed by small dark four-angled achenes with a deciduous pappus of bristles.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.