False daisy (Eclipta prostrata) is a plant in the Sunflower family with a long history in traditional medicine. The common name false daisy comes from the plant’s tiny, daisy-like flowers. Other common names include yerba de tago and bhringraj. It grows in moist areas in California and many other places throughout the world. False daisy is sometimes classified as a weed.
False daisy has many chemical compounds (including flavonoids and steroids) that make it an important medicinal plant. It has been used to treat a wide range of health conditions, including a variety of skin, liver, and stomach ailments. It has also been used as a treatment for hair loss and snakebites.
This plant has a spreading growth habit and can quickly colonize disturbed areas. It tolerates many soil types, as long as it gets enough water. The small flowers appear in summer and can attract native pollinators. The center of the flower turns into a seed head after blooming. The leaves are lance-shaped and covered in hairs.