Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC.
Family
Compositae
Synonyms
Spilanthes pseudo-acmella auct., non (L.) Murr., Spilanthes acmella auct., non (L.) Murr.
Vernacular Names
|
Malaysia |
Getang, kerabu. |
|
Indonesia |
Jotang, jocong, daun getang. |
|
Philippines |
Biri (Igorot), dilag-dilag (lfugao), gatang-gatang (Sulu). |
|
Laos |
Kh’aad. |
|
Thailand |
Phakkhrat (Central), phakphet (Northern), phaktumhu (Peninsular). |
|
Vietnam |
C[us]c n[us]t [as]o, c[us]c [as]o. |
Geographical Distributions
Spilanthes paniculata seems to be the major source of edible leaves. It occurs in South America but is also a common weed in the whole of Southeast Asia, including Papua New Guinea.
Description
Spilanthes paniculata is an annual or short-lived perennial herb, erect or prostrate at the base and rooting at the nodes where upwards often strongly branched.
The leaf blade is broadly ovate to ovate-triangular and measuring 1-12 cm x 0.5-7 cm. There are 8-14 involucral bracts in 2 rows. The peduncle is up to 16 cm long.
The flower heads are radiate or conical, and measuring10-15 mm x 8-11 mm. The ray flowers are (0-)5(-12).
The one-seeded fruit is 2-3 mm long.
Ecology / Cultivation
Spilanthes paniculata grows in drier places, such as upland fields (‘jotang huma’ in Indonesia), waste places, roadsides, and riversides. In Java, it occurs up to 1200 m altitude, while in Papua New Guinea up to 300 m. It flowers year-round and produces plenty of seeds which are dispersed by animals and wind.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
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Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 8: Vegetables.
