Parppadagam is diamond flower, a tiny, wiry weed of the coffee family that springs up in lawns, pots and paddy bunds in the monsoon. Siddha and Ayurvedic lists name it as parpadagam or parpataka for fevers. In North India, parpataka in the drug trade often means a different plant, Fumaria indica. Older books call this one Hedyotis corymbosa.
- Botanical name
- Oldenlandia corymbosa L.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Tamil
- Parppadagam
- Hindi
- Parpataka
- Sanskrit
- Parpaṭaka
- Parts used
- Whole herb in lists
- Habit
- Tiny monsoon weed of the coffee family
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Parppadagam
It is a slender, much-branched annual, usually only ten to thirty centimetres tall, often sprawling.
The stems are thin and four-angled, and the leaves are narrow and paired, with tiny bristly stipules between them.
Tiny white or pale lilac flowers with four petals sit on thread-like stalks, in small groups of two to five in the leaf axils.
The fruit is a small, round capsule full of minute seeds.
Fumaria indica has finely divided, grey-green leaves and pink, tubular flowers.
Traditional use of Parppadagam
Siddha
Parppadagam appears in Siddha fever preparations, often in decoctions with other herbs.
Siddha practice
Ayurveda
Parpataka is listed in Ayurvedic texts for fevers and thirst; which plant is meant varies by region.
Ayurvedic texts
Modern notes on Parppadagam
A related species, Oldenlandia diffusa, is widely sold in Chinese herbal medicine, and the two are often confused or substituted.
Laboratory studies on extracts exist, but there are no reliable trials showing benefits in people.
Because so many plants share the parpataka name, herbal products sold under it may contain the wrong plant.
Parppadagam safety
Do not use it as a medicine without a trained practitioner, especially for children, during pregnancy, or for a fever that could be dengue or malaria. Any persistent fever needs a medical test.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows across tropical Asia and Africa on bare, damp ground.
It completes its life cycle in a few weeks during the rains.
It is a common weed of rice field bunds and garden pots.
Related plants
Also in Rubiaceae
Questions about Parppadagam
What is parppadagam?
The Tamil name for Oldenlandia corymbosa.
Is parpataka always Parppadagam plant?
No. In North India it often means Fumaria indica.
Is Parppadagam related to coffee?
Yes. Both belong to the family Rubiaceae.
How small is Parppadagam?
Usually under thirty centimetres, with flowers a few millimetres across.
Is Parppadagam the same as Chinese bai hua she she cao?
That is usually Oldenlandia diffusa, a close relative.
Sources
- Oldenlandia corymbosa L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q14623539 (Oldenlandia corymbosa)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.