Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.

Erect or decumbent, facultatively semiaquatic, perennial herb (15–) 30–60 (–100) cm high; stems weak, scabrous, rooting adventitiously when prostrate or submerged. Leaves ±sessile, distant, lanceolate, narrowly ovate or elliptic, variable in size, usually 20–65 (–170) mm long, (2–) 5–20 (–40 mm) wide, attenuate basally, entire to shortly and irregularly dentate; both surfaces appressed-pilose; hairs 0.4–0.6 mm long, slender throughout. Capitula solitary or clustered on peduncles 1–7 cm long; involucral bracts 8–10, ovate (outer) to lanceolate (inner), striate, 3–4 mm long, appressed-pilose. Ray florets numerous (30–70); ligule linear, 1–2 mm long, usually 2-lobed (some unlobed), white. Disc florets numerous (30+); corollas white. Achenes compressed-cuneate, 2.0–2.3 mm long, 0.8–1.0 mm wide, weakly 3-or 4-angled, not winged, strongly tuberculate, with 2 cartilaginous margins, with scattered hairs apically. Pappus absent or a minute ciliolate cup with 2 or 3 soft tooth-like awns.

A tropical and subtropical plant. It occurs in humid places. It grows in damp locations such as river banks. It is a common self sown plant. It is common in rice paddy fields. It grows in wetland. It occurs in all tropical regions. In Nepal it grows to about 1500 m altitude. It needs a temperature above 10°C. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

The tender shoots and leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are also eaten raw. They are also used as flavouring in chutneys and relishes. CAUTION: If eaten in large amounts it can cause intoxication.

Plants can be grown from seed or from rooted offshoots.