About Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S.Moore
Crassocephalum crepidioides, also known by the common names ebolo, thickhead, redflower ragleaf, and fireweed, is an erect, slightly succulent annual herb that can grow up to 180 centimeters tall. It is widely used across many tropical and subtropical regions, and is particularly prominent in tropical Africa. Its fleshy, mucilaginous leaves and stems are consumed as a vegetable, and many parts of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes. However, the safety of internal use of this plant requires further research because it contains plant toxins. Ecologically, the species is considered invasive in New Caledonia. In terms of toxicity, Crassocephalum crepidioides contains jacobine, a hepatotoxic and tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloid. One separate study has shown that the plant has antitumor activity and stimulates the production of nitric oxide in macrophages.
