Adenostemma lavenia (L.) Kuntze

Family: Asteraceae

Synonym: Adenostemma latifolium D.Don        

Bengali/Vernacular name: Boro-kesuti.

English name:  Sticky daisy.

Description of the Plant: An erect, rarely decumbent, annual herb, up to 90 cm tall, stem usually glabrous or viscidly pubescent. Leaves broadly ovate, lower ones opposite, upper ones alternate, acute-acuminate at the apex, attenuate-cuneate at the base, margin mostly serrate. The inflorescence is lax, and the heads are 5-7 mm in diameter; flowers very small, white. Fruit a cypsela, obtuse, 5-angled, pappus of 3-5 short, clubbed bristles. 

Plant parts Used: Leaf, root.

Traditional Uses: Decoction prepared from the roots of the plant is given to treat stomachache.
Lotion of leaves used to arrest baldness.
Paste made with the leaves of the plant is used as poultice for sun-burned skin.
Scorched leaves are applied to ulcers and to help ripen boils.
Leaf chewed with a little Areca nut and some lime to treat coughs.
The plant is used to treat lung congestion, pneumonia, edema, and inflammation.
Leaves used in washing hair to prevent falling hair.
Juice extracted from the leaves of the plant is advised to take for the treatment of dysentery.

Distribution: This species is found in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sylhet, and Dhaka districts.

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