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.