Lobelia zeylanica

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

A herb that lies along the ground. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be 20 cm high. They are 3 angled near the top. The leaves are oval and 2-4 cm long by about 1 cm wide. The flowers occur singly. They are in the axils of leaves. They are yellowish white and sometimes have streaks of violet. The fruit is a capsule and 4-6 mm long. They are 3 sided.

There are about 400 Lobelia species. Also listed as Lobeliaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. In Java it grows between 200-1,200 m above sea level. It grows in sunny, humid or lightly shaded localities. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten either raw or steamed. The plant is claimed to be poisonous to animals.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants grow from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Ranci jajar

Synonyms

Dortmannia subcuneata (Miq.) Kuntze; Dortmannia succulenta (Blume) Kuntze; Dortmannia trigona var. affinis (C. Presl) Kuntze; Dortmannia zeylanica (L.) Kuntze; Lobelia affinis Wall. & G. Don [Illegitimate]; Lobelia barbata Warb. [Illegitimate]; Lobelia gulparae Ham. ex Wall.; Lobelia hirta L.; Lobelia lobbiana Hook. f. & Thomson; Lobelia subcuneata Miq.; Lobelia succulenta Bl.; Lobelia purpurascens sensu J.W. Parham; Pratia ovata Elmer; Pratia torricellensis Lauterb.; Rapuntium hirtum (L.) Mill.; Rapuntium succulentum (Blume) C. Presl.; Rapuntium zeylanicum (L.) C. Presl;