Carpesium abrotanoides

Carpesium abrotanoides belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than two years. Its home range runs from southern Europe to eastern Asia. It includes China, Japan, Korea and the Himalayas. The RHS lists it as not native to Britain or Ireland. It grows in woods across Japan and at forest edges. It also grows in lowland grass fields and waste ground. These sites include both woods and open land.

The plant grows to about 3.3 feet (1 metre) tall. It blooms late in the year, from September to November. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects carry pollen between flowers. Seeds ripen from October to November. The sources do not state the flower colour or leaf shape. Nor do they give its spread when fully grown. How much garden space it needs thus remains unclear.

Plants For A Future lists sun and light shade as suitable. It suggests gardens in woods and sites with dappled shade. Shaded edges are another choice. The plant prefers moist soil and accepts sand, loam and clay. Its pH range spans slightly acid to neutral and slightly alkaline soil. How well it stands British cold remains unclear. The source has little data on growing it. It suggests the plant may grow outdoors across much of Britain. This view rests on its home range, not proven garden trials.

Raise plants from seed or by division in spring. Sow seed in a cold frame in spring. Give it a thin cover. Keep the compost moist as the young plants grow. Move each into its own pot when large enough to handle. Keep them in a cold frame through their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after expected frosts. This gives young plants a sheltered start before they go outdoors.

Records describe eating the leaves cooked. Reports note a sweet taste but a bad, animal-like smell. Folk medicine uses the whole plant, stem juice, fruit and seeds. These uses address chest and throat problems, wounds and gut worms. Such records do not prove that home treatments work or are safe. Reports also state that the seeds can kill insects. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards or weed potential. That hazard statement does not prove safety for people or pets.