Plant Profile: Eclipta prostrata

Eclipta belongs to the Asteraceae family, commonly known as the daisy family. This summer annual features either prostrate or ascending stems that are typically purplish and capable of rooting at the nodes. Germination occurs from late spring through summer, and this species often thrives in the drainage holes of containers. When given adequate space, Eclipta can grow to exceed 3 feet in both height and width. It produces flowers during the summer and early fall, ultimately dying off after the first frost. The seedheads are white, and the ripening fruit resembles small buttons. While some preemergence herbicides can help suppress this weed, achieving effective control is challenging. Additionally, hand weeding larger plants proves difficult due to their extensive root systems and the ability of stems to root adventitiously.