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| ## wild quinine {#wild-quinine .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Parthenium integrifolium* L.                                         |
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| Plant Symbol = PAIN3                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.792361111111111in" height="4.197916666666667in"}

##### Alternate Names

American feverfew, eastern feverfew, eastern parthenium

#####  

##### Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: The Catawba and other tribes in the southeastern United
States used wild quinine for medicinal and veterinary purposes. The
leaves contain tannin, which is thought to be beneficial for treating
burns. The leaves were mashed into a moist, thick paste, which was then
applied as a poultice to burns. Burns were also treated by placing the
whole, fresh leaves over the wounded area. Tea from the boiled roots was
used to treat dysentery. Ashes from burned leaves were used to rub the
skin of horses suffering from sore backs.

*Other*: The flowers make long-lasting additions to cut bouquets.

##### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agricultural department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site.

##### Description

######## General: Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). Wild quinine is a perennial, herbaceous forb. Stiff, upright, sometimes hairy stems are single, or branched near the top. Stems (4-12 dm in height) grow from a swollen tuberous root. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate with wavy, toothed margins. Basal leaves are 38 cm long. Stem leaves are alternate, smaller, and sparsely distributed along the stems. The long-lasting, somewhat-yarrow-like flower heads are composed of grayish-white, globular, compound flowers that are 4-6 mm wide. Five, unusually short, ray flowers (1-2mm long) surround the central disk flower corollas, which are 2.5-3 mm long. Only the ray flowers are fertile. The heads are grouped together into an inflorescent spray up to 20 cm in diameter. Flowers have a pleasant but mild medicinal fragrance. The plant flowers from summer through the autumn months.

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: Wild quinine occurs in dry, somewhat heavy soils in prairies,
fields, open wooded areas, rocky woods, and hillsides.

##### 

##### Establishment

Wild quinine is a very hardy addition to the garden as it is tolerant of
both hot and cold weather. The plants make a nice addition to native
plant gardens because of their wild growth form. Wild quinine plants are
easily propagated by seed. Plant seeds in the fall or early winter or
pre-treat them with 4 to 6 weeks of cold moist stratification to improve
germination. Wild quinine will grow best in fertile, well-drained soils
in full-sun to light shade.

##### Pests and Potential Problems

This plant has no known serious disease or insect problems.

##### Control

##### Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) 

##### These materials are readily available from commercial plant sources. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

##### References

Chapman, A.W. 1883. *Flora of the Southern United States: Flowering
plants and ferns*. Second Edition. J. Wilson and Son, Cambridge,
Massachusetts. 698 pp.

Clinton, J. 2001. *Easy living native perennial wildflowers. Native
wildflower seed. Parthenium integrifolium. Wild quinine.*

http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/par.inte.htm

(13 June 2001).

Duncan, W. H. & L.E. Foote 1975. *Wildflowers of the southeastern United
States.* University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia. 296 pp.

Greene, W.F. & H.L. Blomquist 1953. *Flowers of the south: native and
exotic*. University of North Carolina Press. Chapel Hill, North
Carolina. 208 pp.

Missouri Botanical Garden 2000*. Parthenium integrifolium.* Kemper
Center for Home Gardening*.*

<http://www.mobot.org/hort/plantfinder/Code/A/G58.htm>. (13 June 2001).

Moerman, D.E. 1998 *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press,
Portland, Oregon. 927 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1999. *Native American ethnobotany database: Foods, drugs,
dyes and fibers of native North American peoples*. The University of
Michigan-Dearborn. http://www.umd.umich.edu/cgi-bin/herb.

(13 June 2001)

Ottensen, C. 1995. *The native plant primer.* Harmony Books, New York,
New York. 354 pp.

Shemluck, M. 1982. *Medicinal and other uses of the Compositae by
Indians in the United States and Canada*. Journal of Ethnopharmacology
5: 303-358.

Small, J.K. 1933. *Manual of southeastern flora*. University of North
Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 1554 pp.

Speck, F.G. 1937. *Catawba medicines and curative practices*.
Publications of the Philadelphia Anthropological Society 1:179-197.

Taylor, L.A. 1940. *Plants used as curatives by certain Southeastern
Tribes*. Botanical Museum of Harvard University, Cambridge,
Massachusetts.

88 pp.

##### Prepared By: 

##### *Diana L. Immel*

##### USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o

##### Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### Species Coordinator: 

##### *M. Kat Anderson*

##### USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### 

##### Edited: 21May2001 jsp; 29may03 ahv; 060802 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*