Cat Weed, Ribbonweed
Vallisneria nana

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

What it is like

A herb which grows in fresh water. It forms tufts. It has stolons or runners. These are light brown or white. It has long ribbon like leaves. These form roots and new tufts of leaves at intervals. The leaves form at the base. The length of the leaves varies with the depth of the water. They can be 3 m long. They are thin and 1 cm or less wide. There are 5-9 parallel veins. The leaves are bright green but get covered with brown slime in dirty water. The flowers float. The flowers are of one sex. They form in the axils of leaves. There are many male flowers less than 1 mm across. They are on a central axis and enclosed in a spathe 1-2 cm long. This opens allowing the male flowers to float freely on the water surface. The female flowers occur singly. They are 1.5-2.5 cm long on a stalk 1 m long.

Now a form of Vallisneria americana.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Common and widely distributed throughout the Islands of the Philippines in shallow lakes and slowly running streams. Maximum growth occurs about 25°C. It can grow in slightly salty water. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia (country/location of origin), Australia (country/location of origin), Cambodia, Indochina, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, tubers, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by cuttings, by division of the roots and also by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Eelweed, Sabutan-Buaia, Sintas-sintasan

Synonyms

Vallisneria gigantea Braebn.; Vallisneria gracilis F. M. Bailey;