OVAL LEAFED PONDWEED (Monochoria Vaginalis)
The pond weed is a member of the Water
Hyacinth family. The plant is generally small, consisting of a short stem
arising from a long rootstock. Leaves have a long stalk and are spirally
arranged on the stem. The blade is extremely variable in shape and size. The
pretty light to dark purple flowers appear like a bouquet below the blade of
one of the leaves. All parts of these plants, except the roots, are edible as a
vegetable, raw, boiled or steamed, but the leaves are favourites. Malays use
the plant with other ingredients for poulticing boils that have burst. The
Javanese use the root juices to treat stomach and liver complaints, as well as
asthma and toothache, and the leaf juices for coughs
.