Acmella oleracea (buzz button)

Acmella oleracea

Common names: Buzz button, Electric daisy.

The plant is related to the daisy, but it looks very different. It has round, yellow flowers with dark red spots in the center. These flowers, often called buzz buttons or Sichuan buttons, are actually clusters of many tiny flowers. Traditionally, the plant is used for its medicinal benefits. Some of these effects have been proven by science. It’s commonly used for toothaches, but it’s also used for other issues like inflammation and gastrointestinal problems. The plant prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich soils and full or partial sun, it cannot grow in full shade. When eaten a strong, spicy warmth spreads across your tongue, becoming a prickling sensation that activates the salivary glands. The prickling subsides into an acidic (slightly metallic) sharpness, then tingling, and then numbness. The numbness fades after two to twenty minutes (depending on the person and amount eaten).

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds in summer in a well drained medium.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: November 2024