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Yerba-de-tajo Eclipta prostrata

Previously known as:

  • Anthemis cotula
  • Eclipta alba
  • Eclipta erecta
  • Verbesina alba
  • Verbesina prostrata
Phonetic Spelling
ee-KLIP-tuh prost-RA-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

False daisy is a short-lived perennial to annual in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.  This plant is found in warm temperate to tropical areas worldwide and has prostrate or ascending stems. Stems are purplish and can root at the nodes. Plants germinate in late spring through summer. This species can be found growing in ditches, near rivers and swamps and also in drain holes of containers.  

Plants can reach over 3 feet in height and width given sufficient space. Typically, the plant will flower in summer and early fall then die after frost.  Depending on the location, it can bloom year round.  Seed heads are white and ripening fruit is button-like. Although some preemergence herbicides will suppress this weed, it is difficult achieving high levels of control. Hand weeding large plants is difficult due to the extensive root growth and adventitious rooting of stems. 

This plant prefers full or partial sun, wet to mesic conditions, and loamy or mucky soils and is most often found in disturbed wetland habitats. 

The leaves contain nicotine which acts as an insecticide. It has been used in herbal medicine worldwide. In some parts of this country, it is considered a weed and in some areas, it is considered an endangered species.  

The weak, spreading habit of this plant allows the stems to come in contact with the ground, thereby rooting at the nodes can occur.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennials#wasps#summer annual weed#wetlands#NC native#tropical perennials#native annual#NC Native Pollinator Plant#water dispersed seeds#wet soils tolerant#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#wetland margins#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#tropical#dry soils intolerant#short-lived perennials#weed#butterfly garden#wildflower#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennials#wasps#summer annual weed#wetlands#NC native#tropical perennials#native annual#NC Native Pollinator Plant#water dispersed seeds#wet soils tolerant#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#wetland margins#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#tropical#dry soils intolerant#short-lived perennials#weed#butterfly garden#wildflower#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eclipta
    Species:
    prostrata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in Ayurveda medicine in India and in Asia in traditional medicine.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia, India, Brazil, North America
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , AZ , CA , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , SD , TX , VA , WI , WV Canada: ON
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts small butterflies, bees, wasps, and flies.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Brown or black flat achene 2 mm long, compressed and narrowly winged
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Ray florets white, inconspicuous, disk florets white, sometimes yellow with lobes, but are most distintctive when young and are flat and green. Flowers usually 1/2- 1/3 inch across
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are narrow elliptic and shallowly serrated or crenate, base cuneate or attenuate, tip acute, and pubescent on both surfaces. They can be up to 5 inches long and 1 inch across.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Fleshy, sappy green sometimes with a red tinge and appressed hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions. Long term use can lead to bleeding tendencies.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Volatile oil; bisabolol, chamazulene, anthemic acid, tannic acid
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes