Scientific name: Ludwigia adscendens (L.) H.Hara
Family: Onagraceae
Synonym: Jussiaea adscendens L., Jussiaea repens L.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Keshordam, Malcha, Mulsi.
Tribal name: Gangku maichya (Chakma), Gandu-pawn (Rakhaing).
English name: Water primrose, Water dragon, Marshy jasmine.
Description of the plant: A floating herb, rooting at the nodes, and cluster of conspicuous white, spindle-shaped, pneumatophores at the nodes. Leaves simple, 1-4.5 cm long, alternate, broadly oblong-elliptic, obtuse. Flowers white, slightly yellow at the base, axillary, solitary. Capsule linear-cylindric.
Plant parts used: Leaf.
Ethnomedicinal uses: A paste is made with the leaves of the plant are applied on the biting place once a day for two days to treat snake bite.
Extracted juice is given for curing dysentery.
Paste prepared from leaves of the plant is used as a poultice in skin disease.
Paste is applied on cut and injuries, boils to treat it.
Decoction prepared from the leaves of the plant is used to treat cold, cough, fever, and dysuria.
Distribution: It is very common aquatic weed all over the country, found floating in ponds and ditches.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
