A little shocker for some summer fun

What’s the quirkiest plant on the shelves this spring?

It could well be the “electric daisy” (Acmella oleracea), possibly the hottest novelty plant of 2017 that also is known as the toothache plant. This also goes by the botanical name Spilanthes acmella.

It has glossy green  leaves and golden, bud-like flowers with a dark red eye.

In Brazil, where it is an indigenous plant, it is called jambu. The buds are famous for giving a tingling, electric shock-like feeling when you taste them.

Apparenty, bars in New York have been using Electric Daisy flowers to coat the rim of cocktail glasses to give drinks a spicy jolt.

The little yellow button flowers were also used to ease toothache pain since they have a mild numbing, anesthetic effect.

Put some in a pot or trough on your balcony and entertain your guests. Kids love it when you show them how the flowers give off a little shock.

Plants grow to about 30 to 36 cm (12 to 15 inches) high.

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