Japanese Mazus
Mazus pumilus

Family: Phrymaceae

What it is like

A low herb. It grows 6-20 cm high. The leaves form a ring at the base. They are spoon shaped. They are 2-6 cm long. The base is wedge shaped. There are irregular coarse teeth along the edge. The leaves on the stem are smaller. The flowers are small and purple-blue. The fruit is a capsule 4 mm across. The seeds are small.

There are about 30 Mazus species. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore

How it is used for food

The plant is gathered and eaten in early spring. It is mixed with other vegetables.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Annikheak, Jukut mata keuyeup, Khangkrai-regu

Synonyms

Lindernia japonica Thunb.; Mazus japonicus (Thunberg) Kuntze; Mazus rugosus Loureiro; and others