Common Name:

General Information

Limnophila erecta is an erect, much-branched, annual plant growing 10 - 30cm tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
Despite its reported extirpation from Bangladesh, the species has a very wide distribution through much of southeast Asia, it is also capable of exploiting anthropogenic habitats and may be becoming a herbicide-resistant weed of rice fields. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

An aquatic or semi-aquatic herb occurring in shallow ponds, marshes, along riversides or forest paths, at elevations up to 1,000 metres. Sometimes also found as a weed of rice fields[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is a common weed of rice fields, and may be becoming resistant to herbicides[].
The smell of the plant is agreeable and resembles that of turpentine, or a mixture of cinnamon and cloves or cinnamon and citrus[].

Edible Uses

The plant is eaten raw or cooked. It can be used as a condiment or sidedish, or can be steamed as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

The leaves are appetizer, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge and galactagogue[]. A decoction is given in the treatment of fevers, to promote the appetite, and to clear mucus from the bronchial tubes[].
The sap of the leaves is used to clean wounds and sores on the legs[]. It is considered to be a rather strong treatment[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings. The stems often form basal roots, and these can be used as propagation material[].

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