Swamp leaf
Limnophila rugosa

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

A stout herb. It is an upright plant although sometimes lying over. It is up to 50 cm high. It has a smell. The stems can be simple or branched. It forms roots from the lower nodes. The leaves are opposite and pointed at both ends. Each pair occurs opposite to the next pair. The leaves are slightly rough. They are usually widest near the base and with toothed edges. The stems are hairy. The leaves or the short leaf stalks clasp the stem. Flowers are single without stalks and in the axils of leaves. They are yellowish green. The fruit is a capsule. It is 6.5 mm by 3 mm. Seeds are very small, black and shiny.

There are about 35 Limnophila species. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur in open wet places at low altitudes in the Philippines from Luzon to Palawan. It is a marsh plant growing in pools and in water but rooted in the mud. It is mostly coastal but can grow up to 1200 m or higher. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Sikkim, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The whole plant is used for flavouring because of its sweet smell. It has a smell of anise. They are used in chutney. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves as condiment, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anbulia, Chottor arxa, Finger grass, Hades, Hahdis, H(oof)i n(uw)(ows)c, Kachom, Kado sag, Kalaoo, Kala kapur, Kala karpur, Lan ba bo he, Losod ba, Losodh ara, Loson ara, Om kop, Pajinuong, Pamaham, Qu(ees) d(aas)t, Rice paddy herb, Selaseh ayer, Selaseh banyu, Shui ba guo, Tala, Tara-tara

Synonyms

Herpestis rugosa Roth.; Limnophila roxburghii auct. non G.Don;