Water Lettuce, Nile cabbage
A tropical plant. It is common and widely distributed in low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. It occurs on the surface of stagnant water and slow moving streams. It grows in water fields, lakes, ponds. It occurs in both the tropics and subtropics. It needs temperatures above 12°C. It grows in water rich in nutrients. It is sensitive to frost. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In Yunnan.
Also known as:
Akasa tamarai, Alface-d'agua, Antara gange, Anthara thamara, Antharai-dhaman, Apon-apon, Apu-apu, Bahata, Borajhanji, Caa pey, Chauk, Da piao, Darahero, Golfo, Gondala, Hmaw, Jalamandvi, Jalashamkhala, Jalkhumbi, Jall khumbi, Jall shamkala, Jaru, Jauk, Kajeng apu, Kambiang, Kang-jao, Kapu-kapu, Kayu apu, Kiambang, Kiapo, Koditamarai, Kudapayal, Kumbhika, Kunhui, Lechuguilla del rio, Llanten de agua, Loloan, Mbutzemelep, Murere, Murere-page, Muttapayal, Nargis, Nirubuduki, Page, Pasta, Prasni, Quiapo, Repollito de agua, Sarebafae, Takapana, Ye-salat
Synonyms
- Pistia occidentalis Blume
- and several others
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Vegetable, Salt
Where does Water Lettuce grow?
Found in: Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chile, China, Congo, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South America, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Notes: Plants contain stinging crystals. There is only one Pistia species. It can be invasive.
Status: It is a famine food.
Growing Water Lettuce, Nile cabbage
Cultivation: Plants are grown from pieces of the runners. They can also grow from leaves. They can be grown from seeds.
Edible Uses: The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are also added to soups. CAUTION: The plant contains stinging oxalate crystals. These can be removed by boiling and changing the cooking water. The plant also accumulates heavy metals in polluted streams. Ash from the burned plants is used as a salt substitute.
Production: Leaves are available throughout the year.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Water Lettuce, Nile cabbage Photos
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