Crassocephalum crepidioides aka Redflower Ragleaf

Crassocephalum crepidioides is in Asteraceae, the daisy family. People call it ebolo, thickhead, fireweed, and Okinawa spinach. It comes from tropical and southern Africa, including Madagascar. People grow it for its leaves across the tropics. It has spread beyond farms into many tropical regions. It grows in gardens, orchards, and pastures. It also grows in plantations and on disturbed ground.

This upright herb grows fast and has few branches. Reported heights range from about 2.5–4 feet [0.75–1.2 metres]. NC State and Kew call it an annual. Useful Tropical Plants calls it a perennial instead. Its soft, thick stems are round, with raised ribs. Parts of the stems and branches have hairs. Young plants form a low rosette, or ring of leaves. Their stems then rise from this ring. The fleshy leaves are pale green, with some red veins. They are oval and often have toothed edges. Upper leaves clasp the stems. They grow at alternate points along each stem.

Small flower heads hang in groups at the stem tips. They range from pinkish red to orange-red. They lack the broad petals that many daisies have. The drooping heads can look like signs of water stress. Bees visit them, including small carpenter bees. In warm places, plants can flower all year. Southern Florida is one such place. The tiny reddish-brown fruits are achenes, with tufts of hairs. Wind carries them far from where people grow the plant. Several generations can grow in one growing season.

The sources give different advice on how to grow it. NC State favours full sun and wet soil. It reports poor growth in shade or dry ground. PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants report good crops in shady gardens. Both advise using soil rich in organic matter. NC State lists sandy and loamy soils. It gives a broad pH range and USDA zones 10–12. It also notes that plants cope with heat and humidity. Seed spread is the main garden problem the sources describe. Pull young plants and remove flower heads to limit spread. Mulch can keep falling seeds from reaching the soil. The plant has become invasive in some places.

People eat the leaves raw or cooked. They add tender stems to soups. The leaves feel slippery and have a sharp, nutty taste. In Thailand, people also eat the roots with chilli sauce. Sources report folk uses for stomach problems, headaches, and wounds. These reports do not prove that the treatments work. People also use it as feed for animals. They use it to trap weevils in banana crops. PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants list no known hazards. Neither gives a firm view on its safety for pets.