Limnophila chinensis

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. The stem is erect and it grows 40 cm tall. It has reddish brown hairs. The nodes are swollen. The leaves are opposite and also in rings of 3-4 leaves. They do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are oval and 1-3 cm long by 1 cm wide. There are small teeth along the edge. The flowers are in the axils of leaves or a the top of the plant. The fruit is an oval capsule 5 mm long.

Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in swampy areas and paddy fields. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a vegetable along with other vegetables and fish.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Phak kha

Synonyms

Columnea chinensis Osbeck; Limnophila chevalieri Bonati; Limnophila hirsuta (heyne ex Benth.) Benth.; Stemodia hirsuta Heyne ex Benth.;