Spilanthes paniculata
Wallich ex DC.
Spot flower, Brazil cress, Toothache plant
(c) johnallcock, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Inaya Rizqi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) johnallcock, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Vegetable, Flowers, Leaves - tea
The tender parts and young leaves are cooked as a potherb, often with dry meat. Young flower heads are eaten fresh. Seeds are used in pickles and curries. The harvested shoots can be stored for 3-4 days, and leaves are sold in local markets.
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It grows in old gardens and along tracks. It grows in wetlands. In Nepal it grows to about 1800 m altitude. In Yunnan.
Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tropics,
How to Identify
An erect herb. It is an annual plant. It grows 30-60 cm high. The leaves are oval and have teeth around the edge. The leaf tapers towards the tip and is wedge shaped towards the base. The leaves are 2.5-4 cm long by 1.5-2 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-3 cm long. The flower heads can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The flower stalk is 8-15 cm long. The flower receptacle is cone shaped. Flowers are yellow. The fruit is one seeded and dry. Fruit are triangular shaped.
How to Grow
Plants are grown from seeds. It can be grown from stem cuttings.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is grown for medicinal purposes.
Other Information
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.
Notes
The plant is grown for medicine. It is also used to kill fish and mosquitoes.
Names & Synonyms
Ansa tlang, Ansah, Ansha, Bhringaraj, Bhuin timur, Chiivio, Getang, Hotaedaw, Huhuni sak, Jari laifang, Jati malkathu, Klungbua, Kuvi-vu, Marcha, Marchang, Marsang, Marshang, Movqnav, Namlang marchang vajungnam, Oshun shak, Pakkradhuawaen, Payngson, Paynson, Phak khad dok noy, Ran, Samberna, Roshun shak, Tian wen cao, Ushomoi, Ushumoi, Usumwi, Yakho hama
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