Fig-wort
Limnophila heterophylla

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

A herb that grows under water. The stems are slender and smooth. The leaves are opposite or in rings. They are narrowly oblong with teeth along the edge. There are 10-15 in a ring. The flowers do not have stalks and are in the axils of leaves. They occur singly. The petals are pale mauve with purple streaks. They have a slender tube. The fruit are oval capsules. There are many seeds.

There are about 35 Limnophila species. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae. An unresolved name in The Plant List.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in swamps and wet rice fields and freshwater.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia (country/location of origin), Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or fragments of the stem.

Its other names

Local names

Kalago, Sarai

Synonyms

Adenosma triflora Seem.; Antirrhinum gratissimum Roxb. ex Hook.f.; Capraria gratissima Roxb.; Cardanthera triflora (Nees) Buch.-Ham. ex C.B.Clarke [Illegitimate]; Columnea heterophylla Roxb.; Limnophila roxburghii G. Don; Stemodia menthastrum Benth.; Tala odorata Blanco;