Water mimosa
Neptunia oleracea
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A plant which grows in water. It has stalks which lie along the ground and also ones which stick upwards. The stems are up to 1.5 m long. The floating parts have spongy white balls around each internode. These only develop when plants grow in water. From each internode roots extend downwards and leaves extend upwards. The leaves are 3.5-8 cm long with 2-3 pairs of leaflet stalks. Along these are 8-18 pairs of leaflets. These are 4-10 mm long by 1.2-3 mm wide. They are dark green. The flowers are yellow and in round heads. They are 1.5 cm long. The flower stalk is 12-30 cm long. The fruit is a pod. It is oblong and flat. It is 2 cm long by 1 cm wide. There are 4-8 seeds. These are 4-5 mm long by 2.5-3.5 mm wide.
There are about 11 Neptunia species. They are mainly tropical. Also as Mimosaceae. Leaves are high in proVitamin A.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It floats in ditches and ponds. It grows in wetlands.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, SE Asia, Angola, Australia, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Colombia, Congo DR, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves and stalks are eaten as a vegetable. (The white section is removed.) They can be eaten raw but also fried or served with vermicelli and peanut curry. It is also used in sour vegetable salads and hot and sour soup. The young seed pods are cooked and eaten.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is high in Vitamin A and calcium and iron. It is sold in markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, pods, leaf stalk, stem, vegetable
How it is grown
It is grown in tanks.
Its other names
Local names
Akar keman hantu, Bong sung, Caruru de agua, Dumjong, Esing ekaithabi, Ekaithabi, Ikaithabi, Ikathepi, Ishing Ikaithibi, Kangkong puteri, Kanhchhaet, Keman ayer, Keman gajah, Kemon, Koman, Komen, Lajalu, Lilinji, Malu-malu, Neeru thalavapu, Nerrendim, Nguc, Nidrayam, Niru talvapu, Nittitoddavaddi, Pak kachet, Pak krchednaam, Panilajkuli, Pani-najak, Panilajak, Panilajuk, Phak kased naam, Phak krachet, Rau nhut, Sadai, Sundaikkirai, Sunday keera, Tusoyo
Synonyms
Desmanthus natans Willd.; Mimosa prostrata Lam.; Neptunia prostrata (Lam.) Baill.; and others