Water-eggs
Wolffia globosa

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A very small herb. It floats on water. The fronds are free floating. They are green on the upper surface and transparent green underneath. The plant body is 0.6 mm long. It is one of the smallest flowering plants of the world.

There are 11 Wolffia species. They can be 40% protein on a dry weight. It is also rich in vitamins. Also in the family Lemnaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. They grow in lakes, pools and ditches in warm or tropical regions. It grows in wetlands. It grows in full sun.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked in curries with minced pork or chicken.

It is cultivated in ponds and sold in markets.

Edible parts

Plant, leaves, stem, flowers

How it is grown

Each plant can produce 12 daughter plants during its 1-2 month lifecycle. These multiply at a very fast rate.

Its other names

Local names

Asian watermeal, Khai nae, Khai-nam, Kipum, Mijinko-uki-kusa, Panidala, Pham, Phum, Tropical watermeal, Wu gen ping, Ye-u

Synonyms

Grantia globosa Griff. ex Voigt; Lemna globosa Roxb.; Wolffia arrhiza auct. mult. non (Linnaeus) Horkel; Wolffia schleideni Miq.;