Para cress, Brazilian cress
Acmella oleracea

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.

There are about 30 Acmella species. It has medicinal uses. It has antibacterial activity.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in regions with an average temperature of 26°C. The rainfall is 2,700 mm per year. The relative humidity is 85%. It is damaged by frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Asia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil (country/location of origin), Canada, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, Gabon, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Leeward Is., Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Peru, Reunion, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Tropics, USA, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw or steamed and eaten. The raw leaves are used to flavour salads. The spicy taste is destroyed with cooking. The flowers are also used as a vegetable. They are eaten boiled green or in dried forms. Caution: The leaves when chewed can cause numbing of the mouth. (The chemical is called spilanthol)

It is cultivated as a vegetable in some places. It is also sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed. It can also be grown from shoots or cuttings. For seed germination a temperature above 21°C is needed.

Its other names

Local names

An-ka-sa-kir, An-sa-te, Ansapui, Berro, Berro de Para, Borousni, Brede mafane, Cresson de Para, Ibouoni, Jambu, Marsang, Marshang, Motum mersh, Nyi-ra-ki, Oubouonou, Phak khrat, Rasun sak, Sichuan buttons, Tipebouoti, Toothacheplant, Yoritampobou

Synonyms

Bidens acmelloides Berg. Bidens fixa Hook.f.; Bidens oleracea (L.) Cav. ex Steud.; Spilanthes acmella Murr. var. oleracea Hook.f.; Spilanthes oleracea L.; and others