Water chickweed, Starwort
Myosoton aquaticum

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

It is like Stellaria media but has very small flowers. A herb. It grows 20-35 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are 2-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are oval. The flowers are white. The flower petals have 2 deep lobes. The seeds are kidney shaped.

There is only one Myosoton species. Chemical composition: Ash = > 13%. Calcium oxide = > 1.8%. Rich in iron.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. In Pakistan it grows between 1,000-2,700 m altitude. It grows in moist places. It grows in wetlands. It grows throughout China and occurs between 300-2,700 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Tibet, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young shoots are cooked and eaten.

Leaves are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ha-pos-ling-thkhe-li, Papuluoluo, Rau xuong ca, Rau hen

Synonyms

Alsine aquatica (L.) Britton; Alsine uliginosa Vill.; Cerastium aquaticum (L.) Fries; Cerastium deflexum Ser.; Cerastium scandens Lej.; Larbrea aquatica (L.) Ser.; Stellaria aquatica Scopoli; Malachium aquaticum L.; Malachium calycinum Willk.; Myosanthus aquaticus (L.) Desv.; Stellaria aquatica (L.) Scop.;