Ageratum conyzoides

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Ageratum conyzoides L.
  • Common Name : Ajgandha, Mankadmari, Goat Weed
  • Plant Family : Asteraceae (Compositae)
  • Plant Form : Herb
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : 17
  • Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra

About Ageratum conyzoides Plant :

  • Habit : An annual, glandular - pubescent herb.
  • Root : Well branched tap root.
  • Stem :: Herbaceous, erect, cylindrical, branched, solid, hairy, green.
  • Leaves : Ramal and cauline, exstipulate, petiolate, simple, opposite, ovate, serrate, acute, hairy, unicostate reticulate, green.
  • Inflorescence : Capitulum, different capitula are arranged in corymbose manner, involucre of bracts is present outside the capitula.
  • Flowers :
    • Sessile, complete, hermaphrodite, actinomorphic, penntamerous, epigynous, violet.
    • Calyx made up of 5 sepals, polysepalous, valvate, very much reduced, green.
    • Corolla made up of 5 petals, gamosepalous, tubular, valvate, 5 - toothed, violet.
    • Androecium consists of 5 stamens, epipetalous, syngenesious, filaments short, anthers long, dithecous, basifixed, introrse.
    • Gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, inferior, unilocular, ovule one, basal placentation, style divided into two arms at the upper portion, stigmas two and blunt with flattened tip.
  • Fruits : Cypsela, black in colour, sharply trigonous, glabrous or hairy on angles only.
  • Seeds : Non-endospermic.
  • Flowering and Fruiting time : October onwards.
  • Significance :
    • The leaves are used in wounds as a good styptic remedy.
    • A fermentation of the leaves is used in skin diseases and sores.