Water primrose
Ludwigia repens

Family: Onagraceae

What it is like

A floating or creeping herb. The stem has roots at the nodes. There can also be spongy white floating bodies. The leaves are oval and narrowed on the leaf stalk. They are 2-6.5 cm long and 7-30 mm wide. They are shiny green. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They have 5 oval petals. These are 1.2-1.8 cm long by 8-12 mm wide. They are white or pale yellow. The fruit is a capsule which is like a cylinder and with grooves. It is hairy and 2.5 cm long. It breaks into 5 valves. These ripen under water. The seeds are rectangular and 0.5-2.5 mm long by 0.7 mm wide.

It is used in medicine. In Slovenia possibly in a hot house.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in freshwater pools, ditches and rice paddies. It roots in mud. It is found throughout the tropics.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Pan tropical, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Madagascar, Malaysia, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves and shoots are eaten raw.

They are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, flower, seed

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cruz-de-malta, Ishing kundo, Kamping puoy, Keshordam, Machali sag, Nalkimro arxa, Pang pui, Phak phaeng Phuai

Synonyms

Jussiaea repens L.