Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Larkdaisy, Brazilian button, Brazilian bachelor’s button, Brazilian button flower, Porcupine flower, Pineapple thistle
Long considered to be an invasive weed, Larkdaisy plants are now very commonly seen in gardens in India. They are native to South America, and can grow well in tropical and subtropical weather.
Plant Characteristics
Larkdaisy plants can grow to a height of .5 to 1 meters with green, elliptical leaves having distinct sharp-toothed edges. The leaves have a very short petiole, about 2-8 cm long, and are dotted with tiny, transparent glands.
These small glands give the leaves a distinct aroma when crushed, and also give the plant the name ‘punctatum’ meaning dotted. They smell faintly like pineapples, hence the name Pineapple thistle.
The stem is well-branched giving the plant a bushy appearance. They can grow horizontally helping the plant spread over a large area.
Larkdaisy plants are characterized by dark purple flowers having small, thin, tuft-like petals. The name Centratherum comes from the Greek words ‘kentron’ meaning spur, and ‘anthos’ meaning flowers; denoting the spur-like base of the flowers.
These pretty flowers only have disk florets, and no ray florets; the outer florets are longer than the inner ones. The flowers are single and about 3.5 cm long.
Larkdaisy plants also produce tiny brown-colored seeds that are 1-2.5 mm long; having a tuft of hair that helps in wind dispersal.
Gardening Tips
Larkdaisy plants mostly bloom during summer and spring, though they are capable of blooming throughout the year under ideal conditions. They are tropical plants that prefer full sun, well-drained, fertile soil, and regular watering.
The beautiful foliage and bright purple flowers make Larkdaisy plants ideal candidates for border plants, hedges, and hanging pots. They do not do well as indoor plants since they need good direct sunlight to bloom.
Pruning can be done after the flowering season to remove spent flowerheads and also to keep the plant bushy.
Uses of Larkdaisy
Larkdaisy plants are usually grown as ornamental plants, but they also have some medicinal uses since they have antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
They are used in treating wounds, in hair and skin care preparations, as a pain killer, and also as an antidote against snake bites.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Larkdaisy plants are capable of self-seeding and producing small plantlets all around the parent plant.
Stem cuttings taken from healthy plants can root well in moist soil.
Photographed at: Nandi hills area, Bangalore; GKVK University of Agriculture, Bangalore
