Hedyotis neesiana

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is woody and lies along the ground. The stems are 4 angled. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaves have short stalks. The leaves vary in size and shape. They are narrowly oval and 3-6 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are rough. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves and do not have stalks. The lobes are spreading and white. The fruit is a capsule 3 mm long. It is oval. The seeds are dark brown and angled.

There are about 450 Hedyotis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in moist deciduous forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten with rice.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kallukkoduveli, Nithu, Pita sudu pala

Synonyms

Hedyotis glabella R. Br. ex Bedd.; Hedyotis nitida Wight & Arn. [Illegitimate]; Oldenlandia glabella (R. Br. ex Bedd.) Kuntze; Oldenlandia nitida (Kurz) Gamble;