Christmas bush, Siam weed, Jack-in-the-bush
Chromolaena odorata

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1-2 m tall. It can be scrambling. It can form roots along the stems. The leaves are simple and can have teeth along the edge. They are 4.5-11 cm long by 2-5.5 cm wide. They are hairy on the top side. Underneath they are very hairy have small glands. The leaf stalks are 1-1.7 cm long. The flowers are in heads at the ends of the stalks or in the axils of leaves. The heads are 5 mm across. They are white, pink or purple. The bracts are green. The fruit is a nut. It is brown to black and 4 mm long.

It is considered a serious weed in countries where it has been newly introduced.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is one of the plants to grow first in areas where forest has been removed. It grows best in well drained soil and a rainfall above 1,000 mm. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Cambodia, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, China, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti (country/location of origin), India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico (country/location of origin), Micronesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), West Timor, Zambia

How it is used for food

Young leaves are cooked and eaten with other vegetables. Caution: Leaves can contain high levels of nitrates and also alkaloids.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution

How it is grown

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Asamlata, Bagh dhaka bon, Bangri lewa, Banmara, Bezat, Bitter bush, Bizat, Jamani-chon, Jarani bon, Kal bun, Koli bon, Kon traeng kaet, Kupgbum, Nogor bera, Pka'sor, Suf muti, Tongol loti, Triffid weed, Tunri'en khaet

Synonyms

Eupatorium conyzoides Vahl; Eupatorium odoratum L.; Osmia odorata (L.) Sch. Bip.;