Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob.

Family: Asteraceae

Synonym: Eupatorium odoratum L., Eupatorium conyzoides Mill.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Assamlata, German lata, Barashialmuti.

Tribal name: Ba-che (Bawm), Mugujuher (Chakma), Welemra (Chak), Owila (Khumi), Kalang-sam (Lushai), Ashumabaong (Marma), Yi la (Murang), Belnum (Pangkhoa), Wui-hla-raw-aphru (Rakhaing), Desmara kher (Tanchangya).

English name: Jack in the bush, Triffid weed, Paraffin weed.

Description of the plant: An erect or straggling herb or undershrub, up to 2.1 m tall, branches striate, sparsely pubescent. Leaves arrowhead-shaped, 5-12 cm long and 3-7 cm wide, with three characteristic veins in a pitchfork pattern, growing in opposite pairs along stems and branches. Inflorescence a capitulum, in terminal corymbs, peduncles, flowers bluish-white. Fruit a cypsela, hairy, pappus hairy.

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Herbal uses: Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is applied to the affected area to stop bleeding from cutting wound.

A fresh juice extracted from the leaves of the plant is taken twice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) for three days to treat fever.

Juice extracted from pounded leaves, mixed with honey, castor oil, and olive oil, used for cold and flu treatment.

Fresh juice extracted from the leaves, and adding some salt then it is taken three times a day (10 ml amount each time) until the flatulence is cured.

Decoction made from the leaves of the plant is taken for the treatment of gastric ulcer.

A fresh juice extracted from the leaves of the plant is advised to treat painful micturition.

Distribution: The species found throughout the country.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….