Eyeball Plant
COMMON NAME
Eyeball Plant, Toothache Plant
BOTANICAL NAME*
Acmella oleracea
ZONE
9 – 11 Annual in Maryland
SIZE
12- 24” HT, 12-18” SP
FOLIAGE
Green, somewhat glossy
FLOWER
Very unusual, looks like an eyeball, yellow sphere with burgundy center.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Full Sun to Part Shade. This annual seems to self-sow readily in Maryland. Shallow rooted, therefore easy to move. Seems to grow without much effort. Grows like a weed in Brazil.
MEDICINAL VALUE
(from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service) The initial buzz about the plant was from the herbal remedy community. The flower heads contain as much as 1.25 percent spilanthol, a fatty acid amide, which is also present in the foliage. This compound produces a pronounced local buzzing sensation and heavy salivation, because it is readily absorbed through the soft tissue of the mouth where it provides a numbing and cooling effect. It is used as an herbal remedy for dealing with the pain of toothaches and other oral ailments.
Toothache plant is also used in regional foods to flavor salads, soups and mixed with chilies in hot sauces.
NOTES
Deer Resistant
*A particular plant will have only 1 botanical name. Unfortunately, a particular plant may have several common names or it may share a common name with another plant. Whenever possible, use the botanical name.