Ceylon hydrolea
Hydrolea zeylanica

Family: Hydroleaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It can be erect or lie over. It can root from the lower nodes. It grows 10-60 cm tall. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are alternate and 1-6 cm long by 0.2-1.3 cm wide. They are oval. Leaves narrow towards the base. The flowers are blue. They occur in clusters at the end of the branches. The seeds are oblong and 0.3-0.4 mm long.

There are between 11 and 20 Hydrolea species. Also put in the family Hydrophyllaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in paddy fields and wet ground. In Nepal it grows up to about 1200 m altitude. In China it grows in swampy ground up to 1000 m altitude. It grows in wetlands. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Leaves are sometimes sold in markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from root offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Alumu, Dhauka, Djukut saaet, Gheruvallel, Gohuwa, Gunda, Huang shang dang, Indranil, Isha-langulia, Kasschra, Krapen tuk, Langali, Langulia, Leheti bon, Lehti bon, Pa bu yin, Phak bi i ian, Phak ka-liang

Synonyms

Nama zeylanica L.; Beloanthera oppositifolia Hasskarl; Hydrolea arayatensis Blanco; Hydrolea inermis Louriero; Hydrolea javanica Blume Hydrolea zeylanica (L.)Vahl. var. ciliata Choisy; Nama javana L.; Steris aquatica Burm.f.; Steris javanica L.;