Black Jack
Native to Mexico, Central Americas, Caribbean, Tropical & Sub-tropical South America. Herbaceous, upright branched shrub with annual or annual-like behaviour, up to 1m tall.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Bidens pilosa L.
Synonyms: Bidens sundaica var. minor, Bidens pilosa var. bimucronata, Bidens pilosa var. minor
COMMON NAME
Beggar's Tick, Begger's Tick, Hairy Beggarticks, Spanish Needles, Black Jack, Bur Marigold, Pitchforks, Stick Tight, 小白花鬼针, 鬼针草
CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial, Annual Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic Plant Shape Irregular Maximum Height 0.3 m to 1 m PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION
Drought-tolerant plant.
Propagate by seeds
USES
- Plant is a good source of iodine, and has peppery or spicy taste.
- Tender leaves cooked as vegetable by poor people.
- Leaves added raw to salads or steamed in soups and stews.
- Young shoot tips brewed as tea.
- Flowers served with rice dishes.
- Medicinal: Plant has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and fungicidal properties.
- Juice of plants applied to minor fresh wounds & ulcers, or used to treat thrush and rheumatism. Also used in enemas for intestinal ailments.
Disclaimer
The information in this website is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
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