Xiao jia
Lysimachia japonica
Family: Primulaceae
What it is like
A slender, little branched herb which lies on the ground. The stem is angular and brown hairy. The plant is 5-10 cm long and the leaves are 4-7 mm by 3-5 mm. The leaves occur opposite one another. Flowers are singly in the axils of leaves. They droop.
There are about 150 Lysimachia species.
Where it is found
A tropical and subtropical plant. Plants occur between the altitudes of 1050 m and 2900 m. in Papua New Guinea. They occur on damp banks along roadsides or in abandoned fields. In China they occur on grassy banks, ditches, and streamsides between 500-800 m.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The leaves have been reported as eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants grow wild from seed.