Blyxa japonica
Family: Hydrocharitaceae
What it is like
A plant which grows in water. It is 15-60 cm high. The leaves are flat and narrow. They are 1.5-7 cm long and 0.8-4 mm wide. The bract around the flower in like a long cylinder and 15-20 cm long. The is one flower 3-10 mm long and white. The fruit is long and narrow. It is 1.5-2 cm long and 2.5-4 mm wide. The seeds are green. They are like a spindle. About 10-40 seeds occur in each fruit. They are 1.5-2.5 mm long.
There are 10 Blyxa species. They grow in the tropics. The Hydrocharitaceae grow in water.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is found in swamps and rice fields. In Sichuan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten raw with papaya salad or sour chopped meat salad.
They are sold in markets.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Santawaa khon kai