Nigale gava
Murdannia japonica

Family: Commelinaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. The leaves do not have leaf stalks. Leaves are 6-16 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are narrowly oblong. They taper to the tip. The edge has a rough texture. The base is wedge shaped or rounded. The flowers are purple. The fruit is a capsule.

There are 50 Murdannia species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 400-2000 m altitude. It grows in shady places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand

How it is used for food

The roots are boiled and eaten like potatoes.

Edible parts

Roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Commelina japonica Thunb.; Aneilema latifolium Wight; Commelina elata Vahl.; Aneilema elatum (Vahl.) Kunth.; Murdannia elata (Vahl.) Bruckner; Commelina herbacea Roxb.; Aneilema herbaceum (Roxb.) Wall.; Commelina lineolata Blume; Aneilema lineolatum (Blume) Kunth.; Murdannia lineolata (Blume) K.Morton;