Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Acmella paniculata

Back

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

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

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

Images

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.
Species record last updated on: 27 September 2024.
Share