Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Panicled Spot Flower, Toothache plant, Kammal poovu, Akravu, Palluvedana chedi, Paracress, Electric daisy, Hemmugulu, Akkalgaro, Akkalkaro, Mariti, Pippannu puvvu
Toothache plant as the name suggests can cause a numbing effect when fresh or dried flowers are chewed on, helping relieve tooth pain. They are native to South America, but now very common seen in tropical countries around the world.
Plant Characteristics
These plants only grow to a height of 30-60 cm with a spreading stem that is green to dull purple in color. Its fibrous root system spreads on the ground and is quite shallow helping the plant absorb water from a large surface area.
The stem is relatively sturdy helping the plant stay upright, but they can bend to the ground once the stem is more than 30-40 cm long. Toothache plant leaves are dark green, simple, ovate in shape with a slightly serrated margin.
They are 5-8 cm long and 3-5 cm in width. The surface of the leaves are succulent and glossy with slightly purple veins.
Flowers of the Toothache plant are very beautiful and unique. They are half-globe or dome-shaped with small yellow two-lipped ray florets on the outer margin and small reddish-brown disk florets at the center.
The flower are only .5-1 cm in diameter growing from the axils, the angle formed between the leaves and the stem.
Toothache plants flower profusely through spring and summer. After pollination, the flowers produce small dry fruits that are less than 2mm in length. The plant is capable of self-seeding from fruits that fall to the ground.
Growing Tips
Toothache plants grow well in good sunlight and well-drained soil, though they are capable of tolerating a range of soil conditions.
These plants need regular watering and hence grow well in the rainy season. But they do not like to be water-logged for extended periods of time, since the shallow roots will start rotting.
These sturdy little plants do not need fertilization or care, since they grow on roadsides and backyards. Toothache plants are susceptible to pests and worms that feast on the succulent leaves. These can be controlled with neem oil or insecticidal soaps.
Uses of Toothache plant
As the very name suggests, these plants have been used in traditional herbal medicine to relieve tooth aches. Chewing on the flowers can cause numbness in the teeth and gums giving temporary relief to tooth pain.
These plants have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and are hence used to treat muscle aches, joint pain, and arthritis.
They are also used to treat rashes, insect bites, cuts, wounds, fever, cold, indigestion, constipation, bloating, and flu-like symptoms.
Toothache plant flowers are sometimes referred to as the ‘electric daisies’ due to the tingling, numbing sensation it produces in the mouth when the flowers or leaves are chewed on.
Leaves of the plant are used to salads, soups, and stir-fries, the unique tingling effect adding a distinct flavor to the dishes.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Seeds will fall on the ground and produce seedlings which can then be replanted. Stem cuttings can take root in moist, well-drained soil.
Photographed at: Koonammavu, Kerala
