Marsh barbel
Hygrophila schulli
Family: Acanthaceae
What it is like
A herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It has spines in the axils of the leaves. The flowers are in rings in the axils of leaves. They are blue, purple or pink.
It is used in medicine.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in swamps and temporary pools and near canals, ditches and rice fields. In Uni of Calicut BG.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The leaves are used dried. They are cooked as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from cuttings put into wet ground.
Its other names
Local names
Kozhimullan, Kulekhara, Utiwaello, Vayalchulli