Bua saai ting, Floating heart
Nymphoides parvifolium
Family: Menyanthaceae
What it is like
A plant which grows in water. It is 30-40 cm high. There are many slender stems. These bear one leaf each. The leaves are broad and arrowhead shaped. They are 1.5-3.5 cm long by 1.5-3.5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-5 mm long. The flowers are in bundles. There are 2-10 flowers together. They are 2-3 mm long. They are white. The fruit are oval. They are 4 mm long by 2 mm wide. The seeds are round and 0.5 mm across.
There are about 30 Nymphoides species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in ricefields.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Indochina, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The young leaves and stalks are eaten raw. They can also be eaten in curry.
Edible parts
Leaves