Mud plantain
Heteranthera reniformis

Family: Pontederiaceae

What it is like

A scrambling plant. The stems are long and branching. The leaves are kidney shaped and are about 2.5 cm across. The flowers occur in bunches and are pale blue.

There are 10 Heteranthera species. They grow in water and are mostly in tropical America. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It grows in warm and tropical places. It can grow along the edges of ponds. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves and leaf stalks are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agriao-de-brejo, Aguape, Berdolaga de agua, Berro de ciervo, Kidneyleaf mud-plantain, Lechuca, Pavoa, Tora sira

Synonyms

Buchosia aquatica Vell.; Buchozia aquatica Vell.; Heterandra reniformis (Ruiz & Pav.) P. Beauv.; Heteranthera acuta Willd.; Heteranthera acuta Vahl; Heteranthera pubescens Vahl; Heteranthera reniformis var. conjungens O. Schwarz; Heteranthera virginica (Pers.) Steud.; Leptanthus peruvianus Pers.; Leptanthus reniformis (Ruiz & Pav.) Michx.; Leptanthus virginicus Pers.; Phrynium reniforme (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze; Phrynium reniforme var. acutum (Willd.) Kuntze; Schollera reniformis (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze;