Enhydra fluctuans

Scientific name: Enhydra fluctuans Lour.

Family: Asteraceae

Bengali/Vernacular name: Helencha, Hinchashak, Harahch (Bengali); Molisa (Noakhali).

Tribal name: Anlonchi (Chakma); Rohaakhone (Marma); Codirum, Hree-hang-ganii (Rakhaing).

English name: Water cress, Marsh herb.

Description of the plant: A branched, repand, aquatic annual herb, branches up to 35 cm long, glabrous or very sparsely puberulent. Leaves up to 4 cm long, elliptic, linear to oblong, obtuse-subacute, margin distantly dentate, base narrowed down, glabrous on both surfaces. Inflorescence a capitulum, up to 1 cm in diameter, heterogamous, terminal, flower white. Fruit a cypsela, 3-angled with many hyaline ribes, with few hairs at the tip.

Plant parts used: Leaf and stem.

Medicinal uses: Juice extracted from leaves and stems of the plant, after adding some sugar it is taken once a day (20 ml amount) at empty stomach for blood purify.

50 ml amount of decoction is made with leaf, stems of the plant and salt, after adding some mustered oil it is taken twice a day (4-5 drops) for three weeks to treat liver disorder.

Juice extracted from leaves and stems of the plant is taken thrice a day (10 ml amount each time) for the treatment of diarrhoea.

Distribution: This species is found throughout Bangladesh in ponds, swamps and streams.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….