Tall fleabane
Conyza sumatrensis

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A stiff erect herb. It grows for 1 or 2 years. It grows 1-2 m tall. The whole plant has grey hairs. The stem is grooved and angular. The leaves are long and narrow. They are 5-16 cm long by 0.5-1.7 cm wide. The leaves are narrowed at the base. The lower leaves have coarse teeth. The branched flower arrangement is 30-60 cm long. It forms a fairly dense arrangement. The heads are like a cylinder and 7-9 mm long and pale yellow. There are dirty grey bristles. Possibly now Erigeron floribundus

There are about 50 Conyza species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in warm temperate and subtropical regions. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Central Africa, Chile, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Fiji, India, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Swaziland, Tasmania, Thailand, Tonga, Uganda, Uruguay, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves have been recorded as eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Fumu di kiula, Kayala

Synonyms

Erigeron sumatrensis Retz.; Erigeron linifolius Ridley; Erigeron floribundus (H.B. & K.) Sch. Bip.; Conyza albida Willd. ex Spreng; Conyza floribunda H.B. & K.;