Pontederiaceae FAMILY

Monochoria vaginalis

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

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[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. , 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. 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[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ]. It is sometimes also planted as an ornamental[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

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

HabitatFresh 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[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ].