Round leaf toothcup
Rotala rotundifolia

Family: Lythraceae

What it is like

A herb. It lies along the ground. It is about 25 cm high. The leaves do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are in four rows along the stem with opposite pairs at right angles. They are 3-11 cm long by 2.5-10 cm wide. They are round or broadly oval. The flowers are pink. They occur in dense spikes at the ends of branches. The fruit is a capsule. It is oval.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal they grow between 300-3000 m altitude. They grow in moist, open places around water in the subtropical forest. It can grow in water with some leaves under the water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ishing-kundo, Sim jhar

Synonyms

Ammannia rotundifolia Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.;