Spilanthes acmella
(L.) L.
Paracress
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Description
An erect annual herb. It grows 40 cm high. The leaves are opposite. They are simple and hairy. The flowers are yellow. They occur in dense single heads in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches.
Edible Uses
The young leaves are eaten raw, used in soups, and served as a pot-herb to spice salads. The flowers are also edible.
Traditional Uses
The less bitter kind is used as a pot-herb. It is used to spice salads. The young leaves are also eaten raw. They are also used for soups.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The less bitter form is traditionally used as a pot-herb.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows throughout the tropics and in the subtropics. It grows along roadsides and in scrub. In Vietnam it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, Amazon, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central Africa, Cuba, East Africa, Ethiopia, Gabon, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, SE Asia, South America, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed.
Other Information
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.
Notes
NB There is some confusion over the synonyms. Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray in Ochse is a synonym of Blainvillea acemella (L.) Philipson.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 89 | — | 32 | 1.9 | 39 | — | 4 | — |
Synonyms
Also Known As
Akarkarha, Akkalkara, Alphabet plant, Ankasa, Ansateh, Ansa tlang, Australian cress, Cabrito, Chin-lengbi, Cuc ao hoa vang, Ear-stud flower, Gatang, Gletang, Hemmugulu, Hoko so, Jotang, Kerabu, Klungbua, Kuppa manjel, Legetan, Manjal karisalai, Maratimogga, Maratiteega, Namlang, Pakat-hua-waen, Pakrad, Paktumhu, Phak khad hun, Phak khraat, Pipulka, Pirazha, Pokarmul, Pokok getang, Raipuru, Samberma, Sarunen, Saruni sapi, Toothache plant, Vanamugali
References (34)
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- Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 2102
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 42
- Food Composition Tables for use in Africa FAO http://www.fao.org/infoods/directory No. 807 (As Spilanthes oleracea)
- Food Composition Tables for use in East Asia FAO http://www.fao.org/infoods/directory No. 746
Show all 34 references Hide references
- Gangte, H. E., et al, 2013, Wild Edible Plants used by the Zou Tribe in Manipur, India. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 3, Issue 5
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- Medhi, P. & Borthakur, S. K., 2013, Wild edible plants sold by the Zeme Nagas at the makeshift market of Mahur, Dima Hasao district of Assam. Pleione 7(1): 84 - 93. 2013 (Spilanthes acmella var. oleracea)
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- Wild edible plants of Himachal Pradesh
