Fringed pod toothache plant
Acmella ciliata

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

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Panama, South America (country/location of origin), Taiwan, Thailand, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a spice. The leaves are added to salads. The flowers are used in pickles.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - spice, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agriao, Botoncillo, Jambo, Pirpiriya, Sesa

Synonyms

Acmella fimbriata (Kunth) Cass.; Spilanthes ciliata Kunth; and others