White Eclipta, False daisy
Eclipta prostrata

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A small straggling herb which keeps growing from year to year. It curves upwards along the ground and forms roots at the nodes. It is 30-60 cm tall. The leaves are sword shaped and hairy. They occur opposite each other and do not have a leaf stalk. They are 1-5 cm long by 0.4-1 cm wide. The leaves have large teeth along the edge near the tip. The flower is produced in the axils of the leaves. The flower heads are a dirty white. There are a group of seeds in the head. The flower stalk is 2-4 cm long.

It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It occurs in humid places. It grows in damp locations such as river banks. It is a common self sown plant. It is common in rice paddy fields. It grows in wetland. It occurs in all tropical regions. In Nepal it grows to about 1500 m altitude. It needs a temperature above 10°C. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Caribbean, Chile, China, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Tibet, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tender shoots and leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are also eaten raw. They are also used as flavouring in chutneys and relishes. CAUTION: If eaten in large amounts it can cause intoxication.

It is only occasionally used. It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Herb, leaves, roots, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or from rooted offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Aali jhar, A ge wo chi, Agriao-do-brejo, A ji mei, Bhagra, Bhangrii, Bhirangrazshak, Bhringraj, Bhrungaraj, Boton blanco, Botoncillo, Coacica, Coatia, Curichera, Eclipta, Ekaraja, Erva-botao, Erva-lanceta, Goman, Grobidia, Huangjiu, Ink plant, Kaiyunni, Kalhu kandhili, Kameng, Karippan, Karisalankanni, Keharaj, Kehraj, Keshut, Kesut, Kpawu, Kyeik-hman, Lenguilla, Maka, Mo han lian, Mossofing, Nhanvua, Ntum, Quebra-pedra, Sucurima, Surucuina, Tandala, Tangara caa, Tangarac, Uchi-sumban, Urang-aring, White twin-heads

Synonyms

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.; Ecliptera erecta L.; Verbesina prostrata L.; Verbesina alba L.; and many others