Limnophila erecta
Family: Plantaginaceae
What it is like
A small herb. It is low and can be erect or lying over. It has a nice smell. It can have many branches and grows in swamps. It grows 5-50 cm high or long. The stems are smooth and cylinder shaped and can be slightly tapering. They can have a slight red colouring. The leaves are simple, opposite and without stalks. They are narrowly oval and taper towards the base. There are teeth along the edge. The leaves have a smell or anise when bruised. They are 1-4 cm long by 1 cm wide. The flowers are small and have a short stalk. The stick upwards at an angle. The flowers are tube shaped and have 5 lobes.
There are about 35 Limnophila species. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in wet places. In Indonesia it grows from sea level to 500 m above sea level. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten raw or steamed.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Kekehan, Kekehan lembut