Blistering ammania, Dadmari
Ammannia baccifera

Family: Lythraceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 7-32 cm high. The stems can be erect or lie along the ground. The leaves often droop. They are broadly sword shaped. They are 1-47 mm long by 1-9 mm wide. The flowers are small and white. They are in small clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit are flattened round capsules.

There are about 30 Ammannia species. It is used as medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet swampy places. It can be in rice fields. It is damaged by frost and drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Caribbean, Central Asia, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, SE Asia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaf extract is considered poisonous in the Flora of Pakistan. It can cause abdominal pain. The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, poisonous

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Aginbuti, Dadmari, Dhan bhaji, Kalluruvi, Kanyut, Karanfui, Umugarura

Synonyms

Ammannia aegyptiaca Willd.; Ammannia auriculata var. subsessilis Willd. Boiss.; Ammannia vescicatoria Roxb.;