Lobelia alsinoides

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

A small annual shrub. It grows 3-35 cm high. It is often floating in shallow water. The stem has 3 angles and is winged. The leaves are produced alternately and have almost no leaf stalk. The leaf narrows to the base and can have a sharp tip. The leaves can be toothed around the edge. They are 0.5-1.5 cm long and 0.5-2 cm wide. The flowers have both sexes. They are 8-12 mm long. The flowers are 4-12 mm long and blue. The fruit is a capsule which is half round and 2-3 mm long.

There are about 350-400 Lobelia species. Some Botanists include Lobeliaceae in the Campanulaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in swampy ground or shallow water. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 50 m altitude. It grows in paddy fields. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a pot-herb. They have a bitter taste. They are also cooked in curries.

The leaves are recorded as being eaten in India.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bari ara, Chauric arak, Hendegel ba, Painmali, Phak kaen khom

Synonyms

Lobelia trigona Roxb.;