Chromolaena is a member of the Asteraceae family (Dicotyledons). It is a fast-growing perennial shrub that climbs other plants to produce thick bushes that range in height from 8.2 to 19.6 feet (2.5 to 6 m).
The stems grow lateral branches in pairs and freely branch. Near the base, the older portions of the stems are brown and woody; the tips and new shoots are succulent and green to purplish brown in colour.
In most soils, the fibrous root system doesn’t go much deeper than 30 centimetres. The white or light lilac blossoms have a feathery appearance after drying.
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Facts about Chromolaena odorata
| Botanical name: Chromolaena odorata |
| Type: A medium sized shrub |
| Leaf colour: The leaves are light purple and green |
| Flower: Yes |
| Also known as: Siam weed, triffid weed, bitter bush, Jack in the Bush, Christmas bush and baby tea. |
| Height: 3-4m tall |
| Season: Summer to spring |
| Sun exposure: Keep in shade with a few hours of direct sunlight |
| Ideal temperature: 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Soil type: Well-drained |
| Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline |
| Basic requirements: Intermittent watering, indirect sunlight, home-made fertiliser |
| Ideal location for placement: Outdoors |
| Ideal season to grow: Spring |
| Maintenance: Low |
Uses of Chromolaena odorata
- A decoction is used in traditional medicine. The leaf is used as a cough treatment and as a component with guava leaves and lemon grass therapy for malaria.
- In certain underdeveloped nations, it is used to treat soft tissue burns, infections of the skin and wounds.
- According to a recent analysis, the plant’s ethnopharmacological, fungicidal, and nematicidal characteristics, as well as its use as a plant to increase soil fertility in the slash and burn rotation system of agriculture, have all made a significant contribution to its continued use and spread in Nigeria.
Is Chromolaena odorata an invasive species?
In its imported range, Chromolaena odorata is regarded as an invasive weed of agricultural crops and natural settings. It has reportedly been identified as the most troublesome invasive species in Africa’s protected rainforests. In regions of changing farming in Western Africa, it inhibits tree species from regenerating. Forest margins are impacted by the plant’s flammability. It is a significant weed in coconut plantations and disturbed regions in Sri Lanka.
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See also: all about Tradescantia pallida
FAQs
Where did Chromolaena odorata originate?
Chromolaena odorata emerged from the nature reserves at Dacca, Java, and Peradeniya in the nineteenth century.
Will Chromolaena odorata cure cough?
Yes, the leaves are used as a traditional remedy to cure cough.