Common Name: Marsh Para Cress

General Information

Acmella uliginosa is an erect or decumbent annual to perennial herbaceous plant growing from 20 - 100cm tall. The stems are erect to ascending or occasionally decumbent; they can be solitary or several grow from the base[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes sold in local markets and is occasionally cultivated for its leaves in parts of Africa[].
Acmella uliginosa is a widespread species with a wide range of habitats and no known major widespread threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].
Acmella uliginosa behaves as a weed in ruderal, cultivated fields, and in disturbed forests. It is a fast-growing herb and under favourable conditions plants may grow copiously. This species is listed as invasive in Micronesia, Fiji and New Caledonia. In the West Indies, although this species is considered native for some islands, it is listed as a species of concern mostly due to its weedy behaviour[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Originally native to tropical America, it is now found in much of Africa, tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Habitat

Fields, waste ground, damp locations, in fallows and semi-aquatic prairies[]. Mainly in disturbed areas along roadsides, in cultivated fields, in marshes, streams, pastures, meadows, and in forests from sea level to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acmella uliginosa is not very frost tolerant, growing best when the temperature does not fall below 12°c nor rise above 28°c. It can tolerate a mean annual rainfall ranging from 350 - 2,500mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of seasonal inundation[].
The natural range of this species is uncertain, it probably arose in Tropical America but has long since spread from there to Africa, tropical Asia and the Pacific. It does have the potential to spread further and is classified as 'Invasive' in New Caledonia and Fiji[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable or used in making sauces[]. A hot, peppery flavour[]. Leaves can be harvested all year round[].

Medicinal

The leaves are eaten as a food and also because they are believed to increase milk flow in lactating mothers[].

The plant has pain-relieving properties[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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