Gynura

Gynura is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. The genus is characterized by its distinctive, often aromatic, leaves and showy, daisy-like flowers. Gynura species are commonly known as "sweet woodruff" or "sweet woodruffs" due to their pleasant scent, which is often used in perfumery and aromatherapy. The plants are typically perennial herbs, growing to a height of 1-2 meters, with a woody base. The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate, and often have a distinctive, aromatic scent. The flowers are arranged in dense, flat-topped clusters, with yellow or white petals surrounding a central disk of yellow or purple florets. Gynura species are often cultivated as ornamental plants for their attractive foliage and flowers, and some are also used in traditional medicine for their various therapeutic properties. The genus includes over 100 species, with the most well-known being Gynura aurantiaca, also known as "sweet woodruff" or "sweet woodruffs."