Cosmos caudatus Kunth
Cosmos / Rancah-rancah (Bru.); Ulam raja (M.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Annual to perennial aromatic herb that can grow to 2.5 m tall. Leaves are simple to compound, placed oppositely, deeply lobed, succulent, adaxially dark green and subglabrous, abaxially light green and sparsely covered with bristles. Leaf blade varies in size from triangular-ovate in outline to oblong- lanceolate in leaf segments, acute at apex, rounded or truncate at base with small hairy and spiny margin. /eaflets are sessile. 6tems are light green with purple tinge and striped with parallel, longitudinal lines or ridges. Inflorescence a solitar\ head forming at terminal branch. Flowers are purplish-white surrounding the central \elloZ floZers. )ruit a ElacN achene that is covered with hooked
Locally, the dried leaves are chopped into small pieces and infused with warm water. The resultant infusion is taken for high blood pressure. It can be added with sugar to mask the pungent taste. The plant is reported for its antihypertensive, cardioprotective, antihyperglycemic, fertility enhancement, anticancer, antiphotoaging, wound healing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, organ protective, antiplasmodial and antiinflammator\
It thrives in Àelds and Zaste places. It prefers sandy loam soil under full sunlight.
Seeds.
Considered native to southern Mexico to Central America and the Antilles.
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