NAME: Chrysanthellum indicum

FAMILY: Compositae

COMMON NAMES: Indian crysanthemum

LOCAL NAMES: Abilere, Oyigi, fura kuna, Dawodu

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Chrysanthellum indicum is a faintly aromatic, erect, hairless annual herb, growing up to 30 cm tall with yellow or orange-yellow ray florets.

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, flower, seed

GENERAL USES:

Flowers can be used in beverages and the flower heads are pickled in vinegar
The leaves are mixed with henna for tinting the nails
Young leaves can also be used in preparing an aromatic tea

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Boils
Fever
Heart-trouble
Gonorrhea
Jaundice
Insecticide

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The plant is a weed in its native regions.

FUN FACT

Indian crysanthemum is a plant to blossom from August to October.

FURTHER READINGS

Amos, S., Binda, L., Adamu, M., Vongtau, H. O., Abbah, J., Omogbai, E. K. I., Akah, P. A., Bukar, B. B., Wambebe, C., & Gamaniel, K. (2003). Effect of the aqueous extract of Chrysanthellum indicum on calcium mobilization and activation of rat portal vein. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00155-7

Bährle-Rapp, M., & Bährle-Rapp, M. (2007). Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract. In Springer Lexikon Kosmetik und Körperpflege. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71095-0_1946

Jimam, N. S., Banwat, S. B., Dafam, D. G., & Tochukwu, E. (2013). Nutritional and antinutritional analysis of Chrysanthellum indicum leaves. The Journal of Phytopharmacology.