This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

Herbarium: Medicinal Plants as Information Worthy Worts: Comprehensive Comparison of the Histories, Structures, and Therapeutic Uses of Plants in the Scrophulariaceae and Asteraceae Families In order to better understand the “worts'” categorization, an analysis of the plants within the Scrophulariaceae family (Scrophularia californica, Scrophularia scorodonia, and Galvezia juncea) and two plants within the Asteraceae family (Artemisia douglasiana and Artemisia campestris) was conducted. Through research thus far, it was found that these aforementioned plants share structural similarities in terms of aspects that include venation of the leaves. The most prominent common denominator of the wort category is that they all have therapeutic uses. Among the historical therapeutic uses found in the literature are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant uses. These benefits have been utilized from societies ranging from the American Indians to the Europeans. -By Chris Leung, Catly Do, Fady Tawfik, and Sean Jamali. Exploring the Sages: Medicinal Properties and Appearances of Artemisia Californica and Salvia Apiana Both plants Artemisia Californica and Salvia apiana under the category of sages play important roles in maintaining the growth of their local ecosystems with similar habitats, medicinal properties, and flowering appearances during the times of collection. However, they also share important differences in their flowering and growth patterns as well as the active agents used for their medicinal properties. In analyzing the similarities and differences between these two plants regarding appearances, climate, medicinal properties, and growth patterns, the similarities in how they are able to provide and support their local ecosystems is the big picture idea that can be understood. - By Stephanie Bottomley, Rasika Obla, Tony Ong, and Balpreet Sond. Tea Time: Exploring the Medicinal Properties of Bark-Use Plants from a Traditional Ecological Knowledge Context This page discusses three different plants that contain significant medicinal properties in their bark and have been historically used by indigenous communities throughout North America: Populus tremuloides, Frangula californica subsp. californica, and Amelanchier alnifolia. These species will be compared on a global scale by examining the bark-based applications of two related species from Africa and East Asia: Dovyalis caffra and Rhaphiolepis umbellata. Despite their phenotypic differences and the differences in their medicinal properties, all five of these plants have been used to help relieve symptoms of communicable and chronic diseases through the direct digestion of tea like remedies made from the boiled bark of these plants. -By Saja Zidan, Maha Ulhaq, Kate Santoso, Gillian, Miller, Anna Jovin, and Luc Lorain The History, Comparison, and Analysis of Parasitic Plants Our project presents the process of collecting and researching the special characteristics of parasitic plants. We explore each plant's respective medical practices and compare them to epiphytic plants that are similar to our original plants of interest. In each project, we individually explain how the plants were collected, identified, translated, and classified. The contextual reasons behind this process are also presented and connected to the general unique characteristics of parasitic plants. Each page provides a collection of media images that visually represent the main plant of interest, the epiphytic plant, the historical materia medica image, and the individual journal observations that we made of our respective plants. We offer comparative analysis and highlight important parts of each specimen throughout these photos. - By Khang Vo, Jessica McLaughlin, Alastair Sterns, and Dania Alkoraishi Combating Coughs: The Respiratory Remedies across North America Bioprospecting and the application of materia medica have played central roles in the remedy of physical ailments in humans throughout history. From ancient cultures utilizing extracts from leaves and roots to modern medicinal practices extracting medicinal properties from plants to put into pills and other therapies, materia medica has and remains a relevant and growing practice. Here, we examine various plants from North America and their varied characteristics, though they share similar medicinal properties.- By Raymond Ko, Mari Williams, Elizabeth Pham, Julia Tang, Cienna Henry Milton, and Emma Barrall Antiseptics in Nature: An exploratory analysis of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata The following research studies common properties of plants used as potential antiseptic medicinal use. Explained more in depth later on, the first page introduces the plant Coptis trifolia, and its common characteristics with a similar plant, Thalictrum fendleri. The second page studies Larrea Tridentata found at the UCLA Herbarium and its living species at the UCLA Botanical Garden. The pages also examine other species found at the UCLA Botanical Garden, with references of possible characteristics which may allude to the specificity and uniqueness of the plants and objects. These three species studied share a common use as an antiseptic. - By Neha Shetty, Simran Athwal, Mariah Ghodrat, Madeline Huttie, and Liam Kordmahale-Izaddoust Plant Specimen and their Alias : Exploring the Identity of Plants with Animal in the Name Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, both plant species with an animal in their name, were explored for their characteristics and relationship to their respective animals. Through extensive research, we deduce several similarities and differences between our plants that led us to an understanding of why each plant earned their colloquial name, or alias. Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, alias Wolfberry and Smooth Horsetail, respectively, have several commonalities and differences to their corresponding animal including physical and character traits as well as their medicinal qualities. Images, observations and outside research portray the many queries and answers to their common name. By Frieda Anastopulos, Alexa Hernandez, Denise Llera, Chelsea Okoro, Grace Randall Precious Polygonaceae: Insight into the Historical Collection and Therapeutic Uses of Polygonum, Eriogonum, and Rumex Genera This comparative analysis took to exploring six species under the Polygonaceae plant family, half of which are housed in the UCLA Herbarium and half of which are located in the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA. Although they shared a meaningful commonality, these plants fell under a total of three genuses, which seems to explain their differences in morphology - as observed in the physical herbarium specimen sheets and the botanical garden visit - and utility, as unveiled by various Materia Medica entries. However, with an understanding of both historical and modern collection processes, this analysis also postulated that such differences could relate to how these plants were collected and their associated metadata. - By Moryel Yashar, Lexie Baughman, Nicole Cohen, Yair Tabibi, Tabetha Sanchez, and Leah Tabibi Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica effects on Cardiovascular System Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica are medicinal plants that have been found to contain a myriad of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenol compounds. These compounds are known to have significant effects on the cardiovascular system by primarily targeting systolic hypertension. Plant extracts and their derivatives ameliorate oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension associated with cardiovascular disease. This association is due to the characteristics of anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, and antiviral activity within the specimen. These medicinal outcomes are elicited to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Overall, Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica play a crucial role in cardioprotective effects and health benefits. - By Salma Fawzi, Anaeli Guzman, Rere Huang, Lilliane Martin, Isabel Nakoud, and Sriha Srinivasan A History and Analysis of Antiviral Medicinal Plants Medicinal plants vary wildly among cultures around the world, and proper identification, collections, and bioprospecting of these plants expand upon modern medicine and provide new possibilities of drugs. Exploration of historical materia medica, preserved herbarium specimens, and observation of plants both in adaptations and chosen environment allow for the discovery of new medical leads. Three plants in particular, Eclipta prostrata, Astragalus nuttallii var. Nuttallii, and Sambucus canadensis, have historically been documented and used in medicine for their antiviral properties. Through the process of observation as well as investigation of historic cultural uses, much can be learned about these medicinal plants that carry these critical properties. - By Allison Wang, Joanne Kwak, Nina Do, Nicolo Villasis, Sabrina Huang, and Hamza Mojadidi

Indian Warrior Roots

This page is referenced by:

The Narrative of the Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior) and the Platycerium superbum (Staghorn Fern) As a cumulative representation of our experience exploring the UCLA Herbarium, the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, and the Wellcome Collection online database, this project aims to organize and present all the information we have gathered on parasitic plants. The Pedicularis densiflora specimen, more commonly known as the Indian Warrior, came from the UCLA Herbarium. The Platycerium superbum specimen, better known as the staghorn fern, was observed in the UCLA Botanical garden. The Materia Medica Pedicularis plant came from the Wellcome Collection database. In presenting how each of these specimen were collected, identified, translated, classified, as well as the contextual reasons behind this process, we hope to shine a light on the unique characteristics and medicinal properties of parasitic plants. - By Alastair Sterns and Dania Alkoraishi With reference to the metadata collected on the Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior) from the UCLA Herbarium collection, the Pedicularis plant from the Wellcome Collection the Platycerium superbum (Staghorn Fern) observed in the UCLA Botanical Garden, the following sections will explore the collection process, characteristics, and medical properties of these plants.

Pedicularis Densiflora, also commonly known as Indian Warrior, is a parasitic plant sourced from the CCH2 website and was collected by Charles L. Hogue on March 6, 1954. Hogue was an American entomologist, teacher at UCLA, founder of a new discipline called “Cultural entomology,” and contributed to a greater overall understanding of this species of parasitic plants. Indian Warrior was found on a steep, loamy slope growing in the shade of and at the base of some shrubs in the chaparral environment of the Santa Monica Mountains, near a small canyon off a stream near Tapia Park. It was treated with a 5% weak solution in mineral petroleum ether of the chemical pentachlorophenyl laurate (LPCP) to preserve the plant in the UCLA Herbarium. Lauryl Pentachlorophenate is designed to be sprayed on herbarium specimens so as to not discolor the material, nor affect the print and the ink or pencil.

Indian Warrior is a small and short plant reliant on being near the ground to get water and nutrients, spreading wide under the base of other trees and plants. It is a parasitic plant, meaning it lives in or on other plants but in turn, harms the host by decreasing its overall fitness and stealing its essential energy, water, and nutrients. While it is a parasite known to cause harm to other organisms, it is found to have some beneficial medicinal purposes. The most notable of these medicinal uses is as a sedative to relieve nerve and muscle pain. It is known as being a potent skeletal muscle relaxant that can be used to treat cases of anxiety, tension, and insomnia. The bright magenta flowery portions or buds may be smoked to receive its psychoactive and mildly sedative effects.

Although there was no Materia Medica record for the Indian Warrior found within the Wellcome Collection online database, we discovered a historical depiction of a parasitic plant believed to also be a member of the genus Pedicularis. Through further research, we found that the image was an etching originally done by an Italian artist and naturalist named Magdelena Bouchard circa 1775. It is unclear what species of plant Bouchard’s etching depicts; however, in a Latin description below the image, she predicts the plant’s genus as well as provides information regarding its appearance and phenology. Bouchard describes the plant’s physical appearance with the words “purpurea” and “minima,” translating to purple and small. These are characteristics the specimen shares with the Indian Warrior in addition to both having fern-like leaves. Additionally, she uses the words “annua” and “verna,” translating to annually and spring, likely indicating that the plant blooms annually in the spring season.

The staghorn fern specimen was observed in the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens at UCLA on Friday, February 4th, 2022 at about 12:30pm. The weather was sunny with less than 25% cloud coverage and a temperature of about 70℉. Immediately we noticed its striking size and large antler like fronds, from which the plant gets its common name “staghorn.” The plant’s hanging fronds were nearly 2 meters long, the nest like fronds at the base of the plant were about a meter wide, and the plant protruded from the tree it grew on at least 2 feet. The fronds were a vibrant green with some browning and felt smooth and moist; however, they had no particular smell.

Although the staghorn fern is not a parasitic plant, nor in the genus Pedicularis, it is a plant which grows on other plants, otherwise known as an epiphyte. Similar to parasitic plants, epiphytes rely on other plants to grow. However, they grow on other plants for physical support and greater access to essential resources, such as moisture and sunlight, rather than leaching nutrients from a host. While the fronds of the staghorn fern provide it tremendous surface area to absorb plenty of sunlight, with out a stem or a trunk, this plant would not survive on the floor of the dense tropical forests which it calls home. Its epiphytic qualities, however, allow it to grow above the forest floor, where it has access to all the necessary resources. The specimen observed at the Botanical Garden, for example, is growing on the trunk of Ficus watkinsiana, better known as the Watkin’s Fig. Planting the staghorn fern specimen on this particular tree was likely done intentionally by the curators of the garden, as both plants are native to New South Wales and Queensland, Australia and therefore may be observed like this in a natural setting. Through further research, it is unclear whether the superbum species of staghorn fern has historically or culturally relevant medicinal uses; however, other staghorn species are known to have been used for treating ulcers, irregular menstrual cycles, fever, bile problems, coughs, and hypertension, as well as preventing miscarriages.

One of the major points of comparisons between Pedicularis densiflora and Platycerium superbum is the intrinsic nature of the plants: parasite vs. epiphyte, respectively. While epiphytes like the Staghorn Fern differ from parasites like Indian Warrior in that epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants for physical support without obtaining benefits or causing harm to the host plant, both species do rely on other plants. Both the Staghorn Fern and Indian Warrior were found to be growing on or near other plants in nature, whether in the UCLA Botanical Gardens or Santa Monica Mountains. Epiphytes are found living on the surface of a plant, such as the Watkin’s Fig, while parasites are generally found to be living in or on the host, as seen in the case with Indian Warrior.

Pedicularis densiflora and Platycerium superbum do not come from the same species or genus and can each be attributed their own unique medicinal properties. However, some overlap of medicinal uses have been observed. Both plants may relieve cases of hypertension or anxiety, perhaps suggesting that because the parasite and epiphyte share similar properties in their living on or near another plant, they may contribute similar medicinal uses for cases of stress and tension. Further research needs to be done to explore if this correlation truly exists.

References:
Hogue, Charles L (collector). March 6th, 1954. "Pedicularis densiflora." UCLA Herbarium. CCH2 Online Database, https://bisque.cyverse.org/image_service/image/00-VMonDxCQMjYwtsCzsUrU7M/resize:1250/format:jpeg.

Bouchard, Magdalena (engraver). 1775. "A plant (Rhinanthus sp.): entire flowering plant with separate floral sections. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1775." Wellcome Collection, 17039i. https://wellcomecollection.org/works/tzkq6r99.
N.a. n.d. “Indian Warrior Plant Flower Buds.” Botanical Guides. https://botanicalguides.com/indianwarrior.html.
N.a. n.d. “Maddalena Bouchard (fl. ca. 1772 - 1793?).” Royal Academy Collections: People and Organizations, Royal Academy. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/maddalena-bouchard.