Dentella repens
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A spreading annual herb. It lies along the ground and spreads 0.5 m wide. The stems root at the nodes. The leaves are 0.6-1 cm long by 0.2-0.3 cm wide. They are bright green. The flowers are about 1 cm across and like tubes. They are white and grow in the axils of leaves. They occur singly and are without stalks. They have 5 lobes. The fruit is a round capsule which is green.
There are about 10 Dentella species. It is used in medicine.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical locations. It grows along stream banks and flood plains near coasts in northern Australia. It needs an open sunny position.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, USA, Vietnam
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Bunga karang, Kadubhaji