Cotula hemisphaerica Wall. ex Benth. & Hook.f.

Family: Asteraceae

Synonym: Artemisia hemisphaerica Roxb.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Babuni.

Tribal name: Seokley (Khumi).

English name: Brassbuttons, Pin-cushion weed.

Description of the plant: An annual herb with spreading branches. Leaves 2-4 cm long, pinnatisect, segments very numerous, linear, rarely subulate, 2-7 mm long, mucronate, sometimes acuminate or acute, half-amplexicaul at the base, glabrous. Inflorescence a capitulum, heterogamous, solitary; flowers yellow.

Plant parts used: Leaf, stem.

Herbal uses:Leaf paste with honey is given to cure stomach disorder.

The powdered dry leaves or wet-leaf compress are applied to treat contusions.

Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is given with cow milk to cure menstrual disorder.

Externally, the leaf-sap is used to treat earache.

A paste made with the leaves and stems of the plant is applid to the biting place twice a day for four days to treat insect sting.

Distribution: The species occurs in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Maulvi Bazar, Cox’s Bazar, Pabna,Netrokona, and Rajshahi districts.

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