Bhringraj, commonly known as False Daisy, is a widespread herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. To accurately identify this species, it is necessary to refer to its scientific name, which is consistently recognized as Eclipta prostrata. The plant is sometimes referred to by the older scientific synonym, Eclipta alba. This annual or short-lived perennial herb is valued in traditional systems, making correct identification essential.
Key Physical Characteristics of the Plant
The vegetative structure provides clear identification markers for Eclipta prostrata. The stems are typically cylindrical, ranging from green to purplish, and are often covered with fine, stiff white hairs. These stems demonstrate a prostrate or ascending growth habit, meaning they often trail along the ground and may root at the nodes where they touch the soil.
The leaves grow in an opposite arrangement along the stem. They are generally lance-shaped to oblong, possessing a narrow, elongated form. The leaf margins are either entire, meaning smooth, or are only slightly toothed. Both the upper and lower surfaces are covered in coarse, stiff hairs, contributing to a noticeably rough texture.
The leaves are either sessile (attached directly without a stalk) or have very short stalks. Leaf size ranges from approximately 2 to 12.5 centimeters in length and 5 to 35 millimeters in width. The plant’s overall height usually remains low, often less than 60 centimeters, particularly when growing in its more common sprawling form.
Distinctive Floral and Seed Features
The reproductive structures of Eclipta prostrata are distinctive. The plant produces small flower heads that resemble tiny daisies, typically measuring 6 to 8 millimeters in diameter. These heads are positioned on short stalks that emerge from the leaf axils, either singly or in small clusters.
Each flower head is composed of two types of florets: the white, petal-like ray florets and the central disc florets. The ray florets are white, short, and relatively inconspicuous, forming a ring around the center. The disc florets, which are also white or creamy, are tubular and responsible for producing the seeds.
Following flowering, the plant produces fruit in the form of a small, hard, one-seeded capsule known as an achene. These achenes are typically cuneate, or wedge-shaped, and are dark brown or black when mature. A key feature is the surface texture, which is often described as densely warted or tuberculate. Crucially, the achenes of Eclipta prostrata often lack a pappus.
Typical Habitat and Growth Habits
Eclipta prostrata has a pantropic distribution, thriving globally in warm temperate to tropical regions. It is widely recognized as a common weed, particularly in agricultural settings. The plant has a strong preference for damp or wet soils and is frequently found in poorly drained areas.
It is commonly located in disturbed habitats, such as along riverbanks, ditches, and the margins of lakes. The plant is particularly pervasive in irrigated lowland areas, including rice paddies, where it can be an aggressive competitor. The growth habit can be either prostrate or erect, depending on the growing conditions and available space.
The plant is fast-growing and can flower in as little as five weeks after germination. It produces a large number of seeds throughout the growing season, which contributes to its success as a weed. Although it can be an annual, it can also persist year-round in climates without frost.
Identifying Bhringraj from Similar Plants
Accurate identification requires comparison with other small, white-flowered weeds in the Asteraceae family. A common source of confusion is “yellow bhringraj,” specifically Wedelia calendulacea. The primary distinction is flower color: Eclipta prostrata has white ray florets, while W. calendulacea produces yellow flowers.
The bristly stem and leaf texture also differentiate Eclipta prostrata from many smooth-leaved look-alikes. The stiff, white hairs pressed against the stem and leaves are a consistent feature of the False Daisy. Another comparison can be made with species of the genus Galinsoga, such as Galinsoga parviflora.
Eclipta prostrata possesses flower heads with 20 to 40 white ray florets, which is significantly higher than the 3 to 8 ray florets found on Galinsoga species. The leaves of Eclipta prostrata are characteristically narrow-lanceolate, while Galinsoga species typically have broader, ovate leaf blades. The absence of a pappus on the achenes is also a reliable feature to confirm Eclipta prostrata when examining the fruit.