Billygoat Plant, Goatweed
Ageratum conyzoides

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A small annual under shrub. It grows to 0.6 m tall and spreads to 1 m across. The stem is erect and branching. The leaves are oval and opposite. They are 6 cm long by 4 cm wide. They taper towards the tip and are hairy. The edges have teeth. The flowers are white and insignificant. They occur in small clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are dry, black hairy capsules.

It is used for medicine in Nepal. The leaves are used externally and the flower heads are taken in small doses. It has anti-bacterial properties. There are about 40 Ageratum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does best in well composted well drained soils. It suits a sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It can grow in arid places. In Sikkim it grows between 200-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Bougainville, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Africa, Northeastern India, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Seychelles, Socotra, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St Lucia, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), West Timor, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The plant produces an essential oil used for flavouring. The young leaves are eaten. They are occasionally added to soup or cooked with other vegetables. CAUTION: Only use very sparingly.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea. It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves - oil, flowers - oil, seeds - oil, leaves, vegetable, salt, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Adwowakuro, Ahimaimbo, Ajagandha, Anatsiataolana, Bái huā chòu dì wén, Bakariabish, Balquiama, Balquiana, Bandotan, Barba de chivo, Baume, Berokan, Bhusuripata, Blue floss flower, Blue top, Boksunga, Bolbol, Boroboro-menchena, Botebotekoro, Bulak-manok, Dholi sadodee, Elame, Elamey, Gandhe, Gandhari, Gane, Ghaneraosadi, Gua kubo, Gumdrya, Gunyato, Hapon-hapon, Hierba de chivo, Ilamejhar, Jukut bau, Kadu-hpo, Kaziraruguma, Kondre, Koobhi, Laboel, Luboel, Lulubye, Matamocemoce, Mentrasto, Mpata kasakula, Nayitulasi, Ngonamshu, Ntongola, Osari, Poksunga, Pumpillu, Puru, Quicala-pure, Rumput sekedok, Sahadevi, Selaseh dandi, Sesumpate, Seto ghandhe, Sinnapo-ompillu, Tekote tea, Teteco, Timimbo, Uchanti, Uchunti, Uru ute, Yima

Synonyms

Many