Spilanthes oleracea L. - An Asteraceae Herb with Ornamental Value Naturalized in Peninsular India

Lavanya Devi K., S. Ganeshan, M. B. Shivanna

Abstract: Spilanthes oleracea L. is an annual herb belonging to the Family Asteraceae, tribe Heliantheae and sub tribe Spilanthinae. The flower head has attractive bright yellow color with reddish violet spot in the centre unlike the other Spilanthes species which are yellow in color. This gives ornamental value and has been used as an ?edge plant? in gardens. The genus Spilanthes is commonly used as a folklore remedy for toothache hence the name 'Toothache plant. In the present study morphological traits and distribution with niche modeling of Spilanthes oleracea in Peninsular India is discussed which would help in promoting the plant as an ORNAMED? crop

Keywords: Spilanthes oleracea, Niche Modeling, DIVA GIS, Morphological traits