Publication details
Principles of classification of medicinal plants as hyperaccumulators or excluders
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Acta Physiologiae Plantarum |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11738-010-0474-1 |
| Field | Physiology |
| Keywords | bioaccumulation and translocation factors;cadmium;Matricaria recutita;medicinal plants;phytoremediation; |
| Description | Strategies of plants, known as metallophytes, in response to metal excess are explored. Specific features of medicinal plants related to metal exposition are discussed. Different parameters used for metallophyte classification are discussed. Bioaccumulation and translocation factors are characterized. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.), one of the most important medicinal plants, is presented as a case history. Based on actual knowledge of plant response to metal excess and published data related to chamomile, it has been concluded that this plant species is Cd hyper-accumulator. Thus, chamomile can manifest high potential for cleaning-up (phytoremediation) of the soils contaminated with cadmium. However, it should be stressed that cultivation of this medicinal plant under natural conditions for pharmaceutical use should be carefully supervised. |