Eclipta prostrata aka Bhringaraj

Taxonomy

Genus Eclipta Family Asteraceae Order Asterales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Eclipta prostrata, also known as false daisy, yerba de tago, Gunta kalagaraku/Gunta galagaraku, Karisalankanni, and bhringraj, is a species of plant in the Asteraceae family that grows 10-80cm tall. It has cylindrical, grayish roots and solid, circular, purplish stems with white fine hairs that can root at the nodes. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, hairy in two-sided, lanceolate, serrated 2-12.5cm long, and 5-35mm wide. The solitary flower heads are 6-8mm in diameter, with white florets, and the bumpy achenes are compressed and narrowly winged. This species grows commonly in moist places in warm temperate to tropical areas worldwide, including India, Nepal, China, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Brazil. Han Lian Cao is an erect or prostrate, branching annual or sometimes short-lived perennial plant that is a popular herbal medicine in eastern Asia, where it is extensively harvested from the wild. It is also sometimes cultivated in Gabon as a pot-herb and for the compound wedelolactone, which is used in the pharmaceutical industry. However, it can be invasive in the US. Eclipta is a summer annual that commonly grows in drain holes of containers and is difficult to hand weed due to the extensive root growth and adventitious rooting of stems.

Common names

Bhringaraj, White Twinheads, Eclipta

How to care for Bhringaraj

Difficulty

Bhringaraj presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Bhringaraj should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Bhringaraj prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Bhringaraj to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Bhringaraj is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Growth-pattern

Bhringaraj grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Bhringaraj’s native range is Widely spread through the tropics and warm temperate zones, possibly originally native the temperate and tropical America.

More info:
Wikipedia