Coix aquatica

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A large grass with thick stems that keeps growing from year to year. The stems can be floating or creeping. When in water there are floating swollen roots. The upper surface of the leaves has glands and these have bristle-like hairs.

There are 5 or 6 Coix species. The roots are used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can tolerate prolonged flooding. It grows in lakes, streams and open water between 500-1,800 m above sea level in southern China. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Coix lingulata Hack.; and others