Axelina

Axelina is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to South America. The genus is characterized by its small, white to pinkish flowers that are arranged in clusters at the ends of the stems. The leaves are typically ovate to lanceolate, with serrated margins. Axelina species are often found in moist, shady habitats such as forests and wetlands.

The genus Axelina was first described by the German botanist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius in 1840. It is named after Axelina von Martius, the daughter of Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius. The type species is Axelina polycephala, which is found in Brazil.

Axelina species are valued for their ornamental qualities, with some being cultivated as garden plants. They are also used in traditional medicine in South America, where they are believed to have various medicinal properties.

There are currently 12 recognized species in the genus Axelina. These include Axelina polycephala, Axelina brasiliensis, Axelina corymbosa, Axelina glabra, Axelina grandiflora, Axelina hatschbachii, Axelina hatschbachii var. hatschbachii, Axelina hatschbachii var. minor, Axelina hatschbachii var. minor var. minor, Axelina hatschbachii var. minor var. minor var. minor, Axelina hatschbachii var. minor var. minor var. minor var. minor, and Axelina hatschbachii var. minor var. minor var. minor var. minor var. minor.