Centipeda cunninghamii is commonly known as Old man weed, being the literal translation of its Koori name Gukwonderuk. It is a plant known to indigenous Australians for its medicinal properties, and grows along the Murray river, or generally anywhere there is water, especially low lying or swampy areas. It can be identified by its unique shaped leaf, and its pungent scent, which is pine like and minty. The names Common Sneezeweed and Scent Weed, which were given by European settlers, are increasingly falling out of use.
Etymology
Centipeda: From the Greek word for one hundred feet[1]
cunninghamii: Named after Allan Cunningham (1791 – 1839) was an English botanist and explorer, primarily known for his travels to Australia (New South Wales) and New Zealand to collect plants. Author of Florae Insularum Novae Zelandiae Precursor, 1837-40 (Introduction to the flora of New Zealand).[1]
Characteristics
Centipeda cunninghamii is an erect or ascending, endemic Australian perennial herb of the Daisy family (Asteraceae), glabrous or rarely woolly, about 20 cm (8 inches) high; stems much-branched.[2]
Leaves: Oblong to more less spathulate, they are about 15 mm (1/2 inch) long and 3–4 mm (1/10 inch) wide; margins shallowly toothed or subentire; narrowed to base but petiole indistinct.[2]
Inflorescence: Tiny green globular flowers, that can also be Green,Red / Pink[1]. Heads sessile, usually solitary, ± globose to biconvex, 4–8 mm (1/5 inch) in diameter; involucral bracts ± obovate, 2–3 mm long, apex obtuse, minutely toothed. Female florets usually 6–8-seriate. Bisexual florets 10–30.[2]
Fruit: Achenes clavate, about 2 mm long, apex rounded and glabrous above ribs.[2]
Ecology
Flowering: mostly spring–autumn[2]. September - February[1]
Fruiting: October - June[1]
Distribution and occurrence: Usually grows in damp areas subject to flooding, on a range of soil types. All subdivisions except NC; all mainland States, New Zealand[2]. New South Wales subdivisions: CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, CWS, SWS, NWP, SWP, NFWP, SFWP[2] Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. W.A. S.A. N.T.[2][3]
Habitat: Coastal to montane (up to 600 m a.s.l.). Especially common in muddy/sility ground left by receeding waters along lake, pond, stream and river margins. Also in muddy hollows within rough pasture, paddocks, tussock grassland, in damp depressions within dune swales and sometimes in similar sites within urban areas.[1]
Propagation Technique: Easily grown from fresh seed and cuttings. Inclined to become invasive.[1]
Traditional Uses
The traditional belief holds that Centipeda cunninghamii is good for treating "just about anything."[citation needed] Traditional methods of use most commonly involve binding leaves of the plant directly to the forehead or other parts of the body, so that body heat may release the plants oils which are then absorbed into the skin[4]. It may also be taken orally, sometimes mixing it with emu fat or boiling/soaking it in water to create a tea. In cases of oral ingestion, traditional medicinal authorities have cautioned to carefully regulate the dosage as the plant may be toxic if taken in large amounts.[citation needed]
Indeed, C. cunninghamii has a long history of traditional use as a medicinal plant for treating wounds, infections and inflammation. Whilst its essential oil composition, principally chrysanthenyl and sabinyl acetates, has been known for some time, there was little scientific information regarding its phytochemistry and biological activity. Investigations on aqueous ethanolic extracts confirmed its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant (ORAC) activity. Detailed investigations suggest the extract acts against a range of inflammatory markers including COX-1, COX-2, NO and TNF-α, but not through the lipoxygenase pathway. Seventeen compounds were isolated and subsequent bioassays indicated that the anti-inflammatory activity was linked to flavonoids, whilst the antioxidant activity was attributed to both flavonoids and a group of novel heptenedioic acid cinnamoyl esters. The latter compounds are ring-opened quinic acid derivatives and appear to be unique to this species. Optimization of growing, post-harvest and extraction conditions based on quality markers have been developed for future production and product development.[5]
