Bhringaraj / False Daisy
Eclipta prostrata
Also known as Trailing Eclipta, Thistles
- Habit
- Herb
- Found in India
- Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal & more
- Flowering
- Throughout the year
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Eclipta prostrata
- Genus
- Eclipta
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Habit
- Herb
- Distribution
- Pantropics
- Found in India
- Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat
- Flowering & fruiting
- Throughout the year
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Arrangement
- Opposite
Recorded for Bhringaraj.
Flower & fruit characters
Typical of the Asteraceae family — flowering plants only; individual species can differ.
Local Names
- Hindi
- भ्रिंगराज Bhringaraj, केशराज Kesharaj, Bhringraj, भ्रिंगराज (bhringraj)
- Nepali
- भ्रिङ्गराज Bhringaraaj, भंगेरी झार Bhangeree Jhaar, आली झार Aalee Jhaar
- Tamil
- கரிசலாங்கண்ணி
- Telugu
- Galagara, గుంటకలగర, గుంటగలగర
- Kannada
- ಅಜಗರ Ajagara, ಕಾಡಿಗೆಗರಿಗೆ Kaadige garige, ಗರುಗ Garuga, ಭೃಂಗರಾಜ್
- Malayalam
- Kannunni, കയ്യോന്നി, Eclipta alba
- Marathi
- भृंगराज, माका
- Sinhala
- කීකිරිඳිය
Bhringaraj in India
Bhringraj is a small creeping herb of damp ground famous in Ayurveda for hair — भ्रिंगराज Bhringaraj (Hindi), கரிசலாங்கண்ணி (Tamil), Galagara (Telugu), ಅಜಗರ Ajagara (Kannada), Kannunni (Malayalam), भृंगराज (Marathi). Eclipta prostrata is recorded across Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, in paddy edges, ditches and moist waste ground.
Uses
It is the classic Ayurvedic 'keshraj' (king of hair), traditionally pressed into hair oils said to support hair growth — an attributed traditional use, not medical advice. It is also a noted liver herb in tradition and yields a black dye.
How to Identify Bhringaraj
A low, rough-hairy herb that often roots along the stems, with narrow, opposite, lance-shaped leaves. The small flower heads are white, daisy-like with a low yellow centre. Crushing the stem can release a sap that blackens on the skin — a field clue.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is False daisy called in different Indian languages?
- भ्रिंगराज Bhringaraj (Hindi); கரிசலாங்கண்ணி (Tamil); Galagara (Telugu); ಅಜಗರ Ajagara (Kannada); Kannunni (Malayalam); भृंगराज (Marathi).
- What is bhringraj used for?
- Bhringraj is a classical Ayurvedic hair herb (keshraj), traditionally infused into hair oils; this is an attributed traditional use and not medical advice.
- How do you identify bhringraj?
- Look for a low creeping herb of damp ground with opposite lance-shaped leaves and small white daisy-like flowers with a yellow centre.
Asteraceae
Daisy/Sunflower family
Bhringaraj belongs to the Asteraceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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Common plant problems
All plant problem & care guides →More in Asteraceae
View all Asteraceae →Sources: GBIF — Eclipta prostrata (India distribution & vernacular names) (CC BY 4.0) · iNaturalist — Eclipta prostrata (regional names, India observations) (CC BY 4.0) · Wikipedia — Eclipta prostrata (background/comprehension only) (CC BY-SA 4.0)