Blyxa aubertii

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

What it is like

A herb which grows in water. It is about 20 cm high. It has runners or stolons. The leaves do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are 2-18 cm long by 0.5-1 cm wide. They are thin and narrow and grass-like. The flowers are short lived and flimsy. They are white and have 3 petals. The seeds are woody. They do not have thread-like projections.

There are 10 Blyxa species. They grow in the tropics. The Hydrocharitaceae grow in water.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in Nepal between 700 and 1200 m altitude. It grows in boggy areas. It is very cold sensitive. It grows in paddy fields and channels in southern China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tender parts are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed or by splitting the roots. The seed are sown in soils under water.

Its other names

Local names

Lasune, Le he nuoc

Synonyms

Blyxa ceylanica Hook. f.; Blyxa griffithii Planchon ex Hook.f.; Blyxa malayana Ridley; Diplosiphon oryzetorum Decn.; Blyxa oryzetorum (Decn.) Hook.f.; Blyxa zeylanica Hook. f.;