Eyeball Plant Acmella oleracea

Acmella oleracea, or Toothache Plant, is an annual, flowering herb, a native of South American from Brazil to Argentina, and while its native distribution is not clear, it is thought to be derived from a Brazillian Acmella species. While not typically found in uncultivated areas, it has been known to escape from cultivation and grow in weedy, wet localities such as lakeside marshes.

The plant prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich soils and full or partial sun; it cannot grow in full shade. In its native environment, it grows as a perennial in regions with an average temperature of 82 degrees F., heavy rainfall, and a relative humidity of 85%.

The Toothache Plant has yellow to orange flowers and the plant is often used as an ornamental. The attractive colorful heads attract fireflies when in bloom. The leaves add a pungent flavor to salads and soups. While the leaves smell similar to any leafy vegetable, when eaten a strong, spicy warmth spreads across your tongue, becoming a prickling sensation that activates the salivary glands. The prickling subsides into an acidic (slightly metallic) sharpness, then tingling, and then numbness. The numbness fades after two to twenty minutes (depending on the person and amount eaten), but the pungent aftertaste lingers for an hour or more. An extract of the plant, sometimes called jambu, is used as a flavoring agent in foods, chewing gum, and chewing tobacco.

Diseases, Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect problems.