Marsh carpet
Hygrophila serpyllum

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It often lies along the ground. The stems are 30 cm long. The leaves are narrowly oval and opposite. They are 1-3 cm long. The flowers are at the end of the stems in a spike with a pairs of flowers. They are bluish-purple and with 2 lips.

There are about 80 Hygrophila species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near Mumbai.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The leaves are eaten in times of scarcity.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Godadi, Ran-tewan, Sarpat

Synonyms

Adenosma polysperma Spreng.; Physuchilus serpyllum Nees; Ruellia polysperma Roth;