Acmella alba

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Java it grows from the lowlands to 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Peru, SE Asia, South America, Tropical America

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Djotang

Synonyms

Bidens humilis Sesse & Moc. [Illegitimate]; Bidens ocymifolia Lam.; Spilanthes albus L'Her. [Illegitimate]; Spilanthes iolepis A. H. Moore; Spilanthes ocymifolia (Lam.) A. H. Moore;