Water primrose
Ludwigia adscendens

Family: Onagraceae

What it is like

A floating herb. It floats by means of white, air filled outgrowths. It grows 0.1-1 m tall. The stems are long, creeping and fleshy. They can lie along the ground or curve upwards. The stems can be 4 m long. They are rooted in the mud and they form roots at the nodes. The leaves are 3-5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. They taper to the base and have a blunt tip. They are oblong and bright green. They are shiny and have a leafy structure at the base of the leaf stalk. The leaf stalk is long. The flowers occur in the axils of the upper leaves. The flowers are 1.8-2.5 cm across. They are creamy white with a yellow centre. The fruit is a capsule 1-2.5 cm long and shaped like a cylinder. It has 10 brown ribs. The seeds are pale brown and 1-1.5 mm long. They are embedded in dense corky tissue.

It is poisonous to animals when eaten raw. There are about 80 Ludwigia species. They grow in the tropics. The plant is reported to be used as a contraceptive. It is also put in the family Oenotheraceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in streams and lagoons. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 750 m altitude. In China it grows in wet flooded places and rice paddies. It grows in wetlands. It is rooted in the mud and floats. It grows from sea level to 1,600 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Gabon, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young shoots and leaves are cooked and eaten with fish. They are also eaten fresh and used in soups. They are also fried.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, vegetable, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Eseng kundo, Guo jiang long, Ishing-kundo, Jagal, Kamping puey, Kamping puyteuk, Kanabaw, Kesordam, Kesori ghah, Lay-hnyin-pan, Machali sag, Nal kimaro, Pang-poey-nam, Panikhutura, Phak phee phui, Rau dua, Thalijuria, Ye-hti-gayon

Synonyms

Jussiaea adscendens L.; Jussiaea repens L.;