Toothache plant (Acmella oleracea)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Acmella oleracea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pungent flavour to salads that stimulates the salivary glands whilst having a numbing effect on the tongue and lips . — Leaves - raw or cooked.; Adds a pungent flavour to salads that stimulates the salivary glands whilst having a numbing effect on the tongue and lips.; Eating the leaves is a memorable experience.; They have a smell similar to any green leafy vegetable.

Habitat & North American Range

Found only as an escape from cultivation, growing in weedy places, usually in wet localities such as lakeside marshes. (Zone 9)