Butter Daisy

Overview

Melampodium divaricatum is a reliable, low maintenance summer annual. This member of the aster family originated in the tropical regions of Central and South America. The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects. The seeds provide a food source for small songbirds, such as goldfinches. Landscape use for this versatile annual is in borders, masses, cutting gardens, and containers. It contrasts well when planted in the landscape with many other summer annuals.

Vernacular Names

Butterdaisy pflanze (German), Butterdaisy plante (French), Planta butterdaisy (Spanish), Butterdaisy roślin (Polish).

Agroecology

Easily grown in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Needs consistent moisture, but prefers soils slightly on the dry side, with a pH 5,5-6,2. The soil temperatures should be 20 - 30 °C. Plants are quite tolerant of hot and humid summer weather. Needs regular watering and moderately. It can be drought and heat tolerant once established. Produces many viable seeds and will easily self-sow in the landscape.

Morphology

• Stem - light green, entire, oblong stem leaves on purplish stems.
• Leaves - green, ovate shape, simple, opposite, slightly fuzzy, and have smooth, wavy, or slightly toothed margins.
• Flower - fragrant, solitary daisy-like flowers (2.5-7.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide) with yellow rays and darker yellow centers.
• Seed - achenes, which are simple dry fruit that are similar to sunflower seeds, circular seed cluster is formed after the flower petals have fallen. 

Cultivation

Generative propagation is by seed. Sow seed directly in the garden after last frost date. For earlier bloom, start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Seedlings will appear in one to two weeks. Depending on the cultivar, thin the seedlings to a spacing of  25 to 40 cm apart. The flowers will bloom 55 to 60 days after sowing. Seeds may also be started indoors 7 to 10 weeks prior to transplanting outdoors. Transplants can also be purchased from a nursery in order to establish a planting more quickly. 

Chemical Constituents

 Essential oils (E-caryophyllene, germacrene D, and bicyclogermacrene).

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• In Guatemala, the leaves are used in the treatment of malaria and abdomen complaints. The whole plant is used in treating influenza.
• In Indonesia, leaves paste is used in wound healing.
• Studies showed antileishmanial, antimicrobial, and anticariogenic activities.