Chamaeleon gummifer, also known as distaff thistle or stemless atractylis, is a thistle in the Chamaeleon genus. Formerly, it was placed in the Atractylis genus.[1] It is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it can be found in various habitats, including cultivated- or uncultivated fields and forests.[3][1] It is a perennial herb producing a stemless, pinkish flower. The plant has a history of use in folk medicine, but it is very toxic due to the presence of atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside.[4]
| Chamaeleon gummifer | |
|---|---|
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| Flowering specimen of Chamaeleon gummifer | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Chamaeleon |
| Species: | C. gummifer |
| Binomial name | |
| Chamaeleon gummifer (L.) Cass. | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Chamaeleon gummifer is a perennial thistle with a long rhizome extending up to 40 cm and spiky leaves emanating from its center.[5][4] A pinkish inflorescence grows in the center, seen as a capitulum consisting of many small threadlike flowers.[4] The inflorescence is surrounded by spiny bracts.[5] Unusual compared to other thistles is the fact that the inflorescence of Chamaeleon gummifer does not grow on a stem. The ripe fruit of the plant may ooze a white or yellowish gummy latex produced by the rhizome.[4] Chamaeleon gummifer flowers in late summer or early autumn.[3]
Distribution
Chamaeleon gummifer can be found along the Mediterranean basin, including Northern Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Greece and Malta.[1][3] It grows in various habitats and on various substrates, including in cultivated- or uncultivated fields, shrublands, forests and in rocklands.[1] It is rated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.[1]
Toxicity
The toxicity of Chamaeleon gummifer is thought to be caused by two related glycosides, atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside.[4] In Morocco, Chamaeleon gummifer is a common cause of plant poisoning, with children being especially vulnerable to severe effects.[6] Accidental ingestion of the plant can be due to confusion with the artichoke thistle, or due to use of its gummy discharge as a chewing gum.[6] Fatal cases of poisoning are not uncommon, even with treatment of symptoms.[6][7] At least 98 fatalities occurred due to Chamaeleon gummifer poisoning in Morocco between 1981 and 2004, most of whom were children under the age of 16.[8] Severe cases may be associated with liver and kidney failure.[9][7] There is currently no specific treatment to poisoning by Chamaeleon gummifer.[4]