Emilia sonchifolia aka Cupid's Shaving Brush
Taxonomy ID: 10651
Emilia sonchifolia is in the daisy family, called Asteraceae. People call it lilac tasselflower or Cupid's shaving brush. Kew gives its native range as the Old World's tropics and subtropics. It grows in places that have a dry season. The species now grows across the tropics. It grows on waste ground and in crop fields. Records place it in central and southern Japan. In Nepal, it grows in moist spots and on untilled land.
Garden sources say this plant is an annual. This means it lives for one year. Kew also lists it as a perennial, which lives for years. Listed garden heights range from 1.3–2 feet [0.4–0.6 metres]. The wider reported range reaches about 5 feet [1.5 metres]. Plants grow upright, but their branches may spread along the ground. These branches can grow from the plant's base. Leaves grow near the base and on stems that bear flowers. Gardeners can grow this plant in beds they tend.
PFAF lists its bloom time as July through October. Its seeds ripen from August through October. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects move pollen between flowers to help them set seed. The plants can also use their own pollen for this. Grow new plants from seed. Sow in early spring under glass, with little soil cover. Move the young plants outdoors after the last frost you expect. You can also sow straight outdoors in mid-spring.
This species needs sun and will not grow in shade. It grows in sand, loam, or clay that drains well. Soil can range from slightly acid to slightly alkaline. Moist soil suits it, but plants can cope with drought once settled. Poor soil helps it bloom. Rich soil leads to more leaf growth. The plant cannot cope with frost. In Britain, gardeners can sow it in spring as an annual. Slugs may cause trouble in a wet spring. Useful Tropical Plants says it spreads as an invasive plant in some places. These include some Pacific islands and South American countries. That source does not rate it as very harmful overall.
People eat leaves and young shoots raw or cooked. PFAF also lists food uses for flowers and the whole plant. People tend to pick leaves before the plant starts to bloom. Some growers raise it for leaves to eat. Markets in Java sell the leaves. People also use the plant in traditional medicine. Neither PFAF nor Useful Tropical Plants lists known hazards. This does not prove it is safe for every use or person.
Common names
Cupid's Shaving Brush, Lilac Tasselflower, Purple Sow Thistle, Sow Thistle, Tassel Flower, Flora's Paintbrush, Cupid's Paintbrush, Red Tasselflower, Consumption Weed, PualeleMore information about Cupid's Shaving Brush
How big does Emilia sonchifolia grow?
Emilia sonchifolia is a fast-growing annual herb that typically reaches 40-60 cm (15-24 inches) in height, though it can grow up to 150 cm under optimal tropical conditions. The plant has a multi-branched, bushy habit with wiry stems spreading approximately 30 cm wide. It produces over 5,000 seeds per plant and can complete its growth cycle in as few as 8 weeks from germination to flowering.
What soil does Emilia sonchifolia need?
Emilia sonchifolia is highly adaptable and grows in light (sandy), medium (loamy), and heavy (clay) soils. It prefers well-drained conditions with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (4.5-7.0). Interestingly, the plant flowers better on nutritionally poor soils—rich soils produce more foliage but fewer blooms. Good drainage is the most important soil requirement.
What temperature does Emilia sonchifolia need?
Emilia sonchifolia thrives in warm conditions with an optimal temperature range of 20-30°C (68-86°F), though it can tolerate temperatures from 10-40°C. The plant is frost tender and cannot survive freezing temperatures. In temperate climates, it is grown as a spring-sown annual. Seeds germinate when soil temperatures exceed 21°C (70°F).
What humidity does Emilia sonchifolia prefer?
Emilia sonchifolia is tolerant of heat and humidity, making it well-suited to tropical and subtropical climates. It naturally occurs in regions with annual rainfall of 1,000-2,000mm but can tolerate a wide range from 500-4,000mm. The plant handles humid conditions well but is also drought-tolerant once established due to its deep root system.
Does Emilia sonchifolia need fertilizer?
Emilia sonchifolia actually performs better in nutrient-poor soils. PFAF notes that plants flower better on nutritionally poor soils, while rich soils produce excessive leafy growth at the expense of blooms. If you're growing it for flowers, avoid fertilizing. If growing for edible leaves, light fertilization may increase leaf production, but it's generally unnecessary.
When does Emilia sonchifolia flower?
Emilia sonchifolia produces distinctive flat-topped flower heads in shades of lilac, pink, or purple from July through October in temperate climates. In tropical regions like Florida, it can bloom year-round, with peak flowering from late summer through spring. Each flower head is less than 1 inch in diameter and resembles a small shaving brush. The flowers are long-lasting, good for cutting, and highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and hoverflies.
How do you propagate Emilia sonchifolia?
Emilia sonchifolia is propagated exclusively by seed. Sow seeds in early spring under glass, barely covering them with soil. Prick out seedlings into individual pots and transplant outdoors after the last frost. Alternatively, direct sow outdoors in mid-spring once temperatures are consistently above 21°C (70°F). Each plant produces over 5,000 wind-dispersed seeds, so it readily self-seeds in favorable conditions.
Can Emilia sonchifolia grow outdoors?
Emilia sonchifolia grows best outdoors in USDA zones 8-11 where it can survive year-round in frost-free areas. In cooler zones, it is grown as a spring-sown annual. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil at the front of borders. It tolerates heat and humidity well and is suitable for cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, and containers. Space plants about 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
What pests and diseases affect Emilia sonchifolia?
Emilia sonchifolia is relatively pest and disease resistant. The main concern is slugs, which can damage young plants during wet spring weather. Otherwise, the plant has few significant pest or disease problems. As a fast-growing weed species, it is naturally resilient and rarely troubled by major issues when growing conditions are suitable.
Is Emilia sonchifolia edible?
The leaves, young shoots, and flowers of Emilia sonchifolia are all edible, consumed raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. The leaves have a slightly bitter flavor and are traditionally eaten in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and India. Leaves are best harvested before flowering. However, the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can be hepatotoxic at high doses, so consumption should be moderate and not prolonged. Dried leaves contain notable calcium (2,187mg/100g) and phosphorus (648mg/100g).
What are the medicinal uses of Emilia sonchifolia?
Emilia sonchifolia has a long history in traditional medicine across Asia, Africa, and South America. It is used to treat fever, inflammation, wounds, dysentery, diarrhea, eye complaints (including night blindness), and as an expectorant. In India, it is one of the 'Ten Sacred Flowers of Kerala' (Dasapushpam). Scientific studies have confirmed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. However, the plant contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so medicinal use should be approached with caution.
How is Emilia sonchifolia pollinated?
Emilia sonchifolia is pollinated primarily by insects and is also self-fertile (self-pollinating). The colorful flower heads attract a variety of pollinators including butterflies, skippers, bees, and hoverflies. This makes it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens and butterfly gardens. The species is hermaphrodite, with each flower containing both male and female reproductive organs.
What varieties of Emilia sonchifolia exist?
Two varieties of Emilia sonchifolia are recognized taxonomically, though both are now considered synonyms of the main species: var. javanica (from Java and Southeast Asia) and var. sonchifolia (the type variety). Flower colors can range from lilac and pink to purple. The closely related Emilia fosbergii (Florida tasselflower) produces red or scarlet flowers and is sometimes confused with E. sonchifolia in cultivation.
How difficult is it to take care of Cupid's Shaving Brush
What is the region of origin of Cupid's Shaving Brush
What are the water needs for Cupid's Shaving Brush
What is the sunlight requirement for Cupid's Shaving Brush
Is Cupid's Shaving Brush toxic to humans/pets?
What seasonal care does Cupid's Shaving Brush need?
Sources
About Ploi
Ploi is the top-rated plant care app on Google Play with a 4.99-star rating. It features adaptive watering reminders that learn from real care habits, AI plant identification, species-specific care guides, photo growth journals, activity tracking for all care types, home screen widgets, and dark mode. Ploi is also available on iOS and web.
