Wedelia, Sunflower daisy, Beach Sunflower
Wollastonia biflora

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A trailing shrub which is rough to the touch. It grows to 2m long. The leaves are opposite and shallowly toothed. They are up to 10-15 cm long and 8-10 cm wide. The stalks are long. There are three nerves near the base. The leaf stalk is 3-4 cm long. The flower heads are about 2.5 cm wide. These develop at the ends of branches or from the axils of the upper leaves. There are about 8 flowers around the edge then 20-30 flowers in the central disk. The fruit are wedge shaped and 2-3 mm long.

It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are mostly along rocky shores. In Papua New Guinea they occur from sea level to 700 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, China, East Africa, Fiji, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yap

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked with fish to give it flavour, then eaten. The leaves and roots are used to make a tea drink. Only small amounts should be eaten. CAUTION: The flowers and old leaves are claimed to be poisonous.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ateate, Atiat, Bunga butang, Butsu kaune, Eatheuth, Etuwet, Masigmasig, Merihi, Pak-krat-talay, Pokok serunai, Saruni, Seremai, Serunai laut, Sonki, Te kaura, Thuh, Vuenue, Wal, Yatuyet

Synonyms

Adenostemma biflorum (L.) Less.; Wedelia biflora (L.) DC.; Wollastonia biflora Dalzell & A. Gibson; Wollastonia biflora var. biflora;