Fourleaf marestail
Hippuris tetraphylla
Family: Plantaginaceae
What it is like
A herb that grows in water. It keeps growing from year to year. It has creeping rhizomes. The stems are 10-50 cm long. The leaves are in 4 rings. They are oval and 4-12 mm long by 5-7 mm wide. They are fleshy. The leaves under the water are shorter than the leaves above water. The flowers are purplish.
Also put in the family Hippuridaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in bogs and salt marshes.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Asia, China, Europe, Japan, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten as greens. It is gathered when frozen in winter as it is then less bitter.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Tayaruq