Common Name:

General Information

Monochoria vaginalis is an erect, ascending or occasionally creeping herbaceous plant that is usually perennial but can exist as an annual in unfavourable conditions. It grows in muddy conditions or shallow water, with leaves that can either float or grow upwards for up to 50cm. The stems are sometimes rhizomatous[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild as a vegetable crop and for local medicinal use. It is sometimes grown as a vegetable crop in its native range, where it is found for sale in local markets[]. It is sometimes also planted as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, through southeast Asia to Australia.

Habitat

Fresh water swamps, ditches, shallow pools, canal banks, and particularly in flooded rice fields where it is often the commonest weed. Usually found in eutrophic water, but also in brackish and oligotrophic water at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 35°c, but can tolerate 13 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[, ]. Succeeds in wet soil and in water, becoming a floating plant in deeper water[]. Grows best in a fertile, heavy to medium-textured soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4 - 7[].
The plant is a common weed of rice paddies, where it often grows as an annual[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young stems - cooked and used as a vegetable[]. An excellent vegetable[].

Young inflorescences usually cooked, but sometimes eaten raw[]. An excellent vegetable[].

The rhizomes are said to be eaten, but the plant is rarely rhizomatous[].

Medicinal

The juice of the roots is used to treat stomach and liver problems[, ]. The juice is also used as a treatment for asthma and to relieve toothache[].

The leaves are used to treat fevers[]. The juice of the leaves is used for curing coughs[].
The leaves are pounded, then mixed with turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Portulaca pilosa, and applied to boils after they have burst[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[].
Division.
Cuttings.

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