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Acmella paniculata (Wall. ex DC.) R.K.Jansen
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Synonyms: | Spilanthes acmella var. paniculata (Wall. ex DC.) C.B.Clarke, Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC. |
| Common Name: | Toothache Plant, 金纽扣 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 30 cm to 80 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bangladesh; Brazil; China, Colombia; Ecuador; India; Indonesia; Nepal; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Solomon Island; Sri Lanka; Taiwan, Province of China; Thailand; Viet Nam. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb up to 0.8 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are egg- or lance-shaped with a toothed leaf margin and rough surface on both sides. |
| Flowers | Tiny, yellow flowers known as disc florets are arranged in a round to cone-shaped inflorescence. The inflorescence emerges from the leaf axils (the attachment point of the leaf to the stem). |
| Fruit | The dry, one-seeded fruit is known as an achene. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Acmella paniculata looks very similar to Acmella oleracea. Acmella paniculata has smaller leaves and flower. The leaves are 2-4cm long, ovate-lanceolate to ovate; heads 8.4-12.5mm tall. Acmella oleracea leaves are broadly ovate to deltate, 5-10cm long; heads 10.5-23.5mm tall. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses The cone-shaped inflorescence is commonly used to treat toothache and throat and gum infections. One can chew on the fresh or dried flowers to help deaden pain from a tooth until they can visit the dentist. The leaves are used to treat bacterial/ fungal skin diseases and wounds, as well as protect from cold and flu. It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Rough |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 2 cm to 4 cm |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Head / Capitulum |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1179 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2472 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
