Menow-weed, Minnie root, Spearpod
Ruellia tuberosa
Family: Acanthaceae
What it is like
A herb. It can be upright or lie over. It is about 30 cm high. The roots are long and fleshy. It has 1 or 2 main branches. They are 4 angled. The leaves are 4-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are blue and purple. The fruit is a cylinder shaped capsule 17-24 mm long and 3 mm wide. It explodes on contact with water. There are 20-26 seeds. These are 2-2.5 mm wide.
There are about 150 Ruellia species. They grow in tropical and warm temperate places.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In southern China it grows in disturbed sites below 100 m above sea level. In Java it grows to 150 m above sea level. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Venezuela, West Indies
How it is used for food
The roots have a slightly pungent taste when fresh but are less so when dry.
Edible parts
Roots
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds, suckers or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Bluebell, Byauk, Ceplikan, Iron root, Minne - root, Naga-hmaing, Pletikan, Snapdragon, Ti patat, Waterkanon, Watrakone