Limnophila indica

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows in water. The stems can be branched. They are slender and 15-30 (-90) cm long. They can be erect or lie over. The top rises out of the water. These aerial stems have glands while the under water stems are smooth. The leaves above the water are arranged in whorls or rings and are only partly divided. They are 4-12 cm long. The leaves smell of turpentine when crushed. The under water leaves can be 30 cm long and in whorls or rings of 6-12. They are often finely divided. The flowers are produced singly in the axils of leaves. The have stalks 3.5-10 mm long. The flower is pink or purple. The tube is slender and like a cylinder. The fruit is an oval capsule 4 mm long. It splits into 4 vales. There are many seeds inside. They are 0.5 mm long.

There are about 35 Limnophila species. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in marshy areas and the edges of fresh water ponds. It can grow in shallow water. It grows in wetlands. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 2,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Senegal, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a pot-herb. They are also fried.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ambuja, Ambuli, Chottar arxa, Kado sag, Karpur, Kedo sag, Keralata, Kuttra, Losod ara, Manganari, Namha hemcha, Olonan, Turati, Vhottor arkha

Synonyms

Limnophila gratioloides R.Br.; Limnophila racemosa Benth.;