Pluchea indica aka Indian Fleabane

Pluchea indica, or Indian sage, belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its native range spans tropical and subtropical Asia to northern Australia. It grows in Bangladesh, southern China, and much of Southeast Asia. This shrub grows in the lowland tropics. Kew places it in the wet tropical climate zone. People grow it in gardens and gather it from the wild.

This evergreen shrub has a slim, upright form with many branches. Useful Tropical Plants lists a garden height of about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. Its broader description gives 3.3–9.8 feet [1–3 metres]. Soft hairs cover the plant, and all its parts have a scent. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. Gardeners grow it as a hedge as well as for food. It tolerates pruning well, which suits this use. Regular cuts provide a fresh supply of young shoots for harvest.

In the wild, it grows along coasts and tidal streams. It also occurs in swamps and near some inland salt springs. These sites include brackish marshes and other places with salty soil. It grows on clay, hard ground, and stony soils. Wild plants occupy both sunny sites and places with light shade. In cultivation, fertile soil gives the best growth. The supplied account gives no cold-hardiness limits or watering schedule. Growers can raise new plants from seed or cuttings.

People eat the young leaves, shoots, and flower clusters. These parts can be eaten raw or cooked. In Java, they go into salads, soups, and dishes served with rice. Steaming is another way to prepare them as a side dish. Thai cooks use the leaves to add flavour. The source lists no known hazards. This does not establish safety for pets or every medicinal use.

Indian sage also has a history of local herbal use. People gather and trade it, including for use as a diuretic. Its leaves and other above-ground parts contain flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential oil. Laboratory tests found antimicrobial effects from the oil. Such tests do not establish an effective treatment in people. The supplied evidence gives no pest or disease details. It also lacks flower colour, bloom season, and fruit descriptions.