Eclipta prostrata

• Botanical Name : Eclipta prostrata (L.)
• Synonyms : Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk
• Common Name : Bhangaro, False Daisy, Trailing Eclipta
• Plant Family : Asteraceae (Compositae)

• According to the Rules of ICBN the names of the families should end in -aceae. Thus the new name for the family Compositae became Asteraceae. However, the name Compositae is also exempted and conserved under 'Nomina Conservanda' because of their constant use for a long time.

• Plant Form : Herb
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1-30
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Ayurvedic Udyan, Punit Van, Sarita Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra, Infocity, Aranya Van

About Eclipta prostrata Plant :

• Habit : An annual herb, erect, suberect or prostrate, often rooting at the nodes; when growing in water the stem may become swollen and rather soft; stems and branches strigose.
• Leaves : Sessile, usually oblong lanceolate, subentire, more or less hairy on both sides.
• Inflorescence : Heads in axillary peduncles.
• Flowers : White, ray florets ligulate, but ligules small and inconspicuous; disc florets tubular. Involucral bracts green in colour, about 8 in number, strigose.
• Fruits : Achenes cuneate, winged, warted. Pappus 0.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : Throughout the year in moist places.
• Significance :
  • The herb is used as tonic and deobstruent in hepatic and spleen enlargements and in skin diseases.
  • The plant juice is administered in combination with aromatics for catarrhal jaundice.
  • The expressed leaf juice along with honey is a popular remedy for catarrh in infants.