False Daisy

(Eclipta prostrata)

False Daisy (Eclipta prostrata)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Eclipta prostrata, commonly known as false daisy, is an annual herb native to tropical and subtropical America. It thrives in wet, marshy areas such as riverbanks and the edges of ponds, where it forms dense mats. This plant typically grows to a height of 0.3–0.9 meters (1–3 feet) with a similar spread. False daisy has a distinctive appearance with cylindrical, grayish roots, purplish stems covered with fine white hairs, and opposite, hairy, lanceolate leaves. It produces small white flowers with yellow centers throughout the growing season, which are modest in appearance but can be quite numerous.

False daisy is valued for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where it is used to treat a variety of ailments. It is also used as a vegetable in some cultures and can be cultivated as a ground cover in wet areas of the garden. In terms of cultivation, Eclipta prostrata prefers consistently moist soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. However, gardeners should be cautious as it can become invasive outside its native range, spreading rapidly and outcompeting native vegetation.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.3-1.6 feet
  • Width: 1-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate, Rapid
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium, High
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Potted Plant

Natural Habitat

Tropical and subtropical wet, marshy areas such as riverbanks and pond edges

Other Names

Common Names: Eclipta, Bombiji, Bosaka, Ebenda-Benda, Etat La Malumba, Yerba de Tago, Hanryeoncho, Li Chang

Scientific Names: , Eclipta prostrata, Anthemis abyssinica subsp. abyssinica, Anthemis abyssinica var. abyssinica, Anthemis bornmuelleri subsp. brachyota, Anthemis cotula subsp. hierosolymitana, Anthemis galilaea subsp. hierosolymitana, Anthemis viridis, Artemisia viridis, Chamaemelum foetidum

GBIF Accepted Name: