Gooseweed, Chicken spike
Sphenoclea zeylanica

Family: Sphenocleaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 20-60 cm tall. The stems are much branched. They are hollow. The leaves have stalks. They are alternate and simple. The leaves are 2.5-7.5 cm long and sword shaped. The flowers are arranged in spikes at the tip of the plant. The flowers are white. The fruit is a capsule. It is enclosed in the persistent outer layer of flower parts. The fruit has 2 cells and splits around the middle. There are several seeds.

There is only one genus in the Sphenocleaceae and only one (2) Sphenoclea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on marshy ground and in paddy fields. It grows in rivers. In Java it grows up to 350 m above sea level. It occurs throughout the tropics. It grows in wet places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central Asia, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. They have a slightly bitter taste. They are steamed and eaten as a potherb, mixed with grated coconut, or served as a side dish with rice. They probably need processing. In the Philippines they are squeezed and soaked in rice washings for 3 days and then serve as a salad vegetable.

They are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate easily on waterlogged soil.

Its other names

Local names

Aiker, Bum-bum, Cosso-bsue, Goonda, Gunda, Jhil-mirich, Kanndieng-krapen tuk, Khamna bon, Larang dapo, Lehati bon, Mirchbooti, Mirchi, Nhambairam-faro, Opaia, Pagana, Panimarich, Phak pot, Phulanghas, Sifung mwigong, Wedgewort

Synonyms

Gaertnera pangati Retz.; Gaertnera pongatii Retz.; Pongatium indicum Lam.; Pongatium spongiosum Blanco; Pongatium zeylanicum Kuntze; Rapinia herbacea Lour.;