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Blumea balsamifera
Asteraceae FAMILY

Blumea balsamifera

Blumea balsamifera

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Shrub
Growth—

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, it can be found at elevations from sea level to 2,200 metres[1]. Plants are intolerant of shade[1]. Essential oil production is greatly decreased when plants grow in the shade[1]. Blumea balsamifera flowers throughout the year[1]. It produces seed abundantly and easily propagates spontaneously[1]. It is often considered a weed, though it is easily eradicated[1]. The plant is very tolerant of fire and is frequently found in regularly burned grassland since it readily sprouts from underground parts after the leaves and branches have been killed[1]. In gardens, leaves are picked when required. On a larger scale, leaves are cut up to four times a year or whole plants are harvested[1].. A widely distributed and very variable plant in its foliage and degree of pubescence; the flower heads and florets, however, are remarkably uniform throughout its range. Plants growing in a montane habitat appear more woolly than those from the lowland[1]. The plant can flower all year round[2]. This species is the most woody and fragrant member of the genus[1].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow and do not allow the compost to become dry. Germination is usually good. Root cuttings. Stem cuttings. Cuttings are placed in containers under shade. Watering should be carried out with care, as too much water is harmful. Seedlings and rooted cuttings can be transplanted after about 2 weeks to a place receiving full sunlight. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-19. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Blumea+balsamifera>

Pollinators

Insects

References

  1. [1]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
  2. [2]The Composite Genus Blumea, A Taxonomic Revision — Aban J. Randeria · National Herbarium of the Netherlands. · 1960 ↩︎A complete treatment (as of 1960) of the genus Blumea.
  3. [3]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
  4. [4]Cornucopia II — Facciola. S. · Kampong Publications, California. · 1998 · ISBN 0-9628087-2-5 ↩︎The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
  5. [5]Medicinal Plants in Vietnam — Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu · World Health Organisation · 1989 · ISBN 92 9061 101 4 ↩︎An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.
  6. [6]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.