Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl

Family: Hydrophyllaceae

Synonym:Hydrolea inermis Lour.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Kasschara, Ishalanguli, Kalchra, Bisha-languli, Pani agra, Jirunika.

Tribal name: Rehankhuni (Marma).

English name: Water leaf.

Description of the plant: An annual marsh herb, prostrate to semierect, up to 40 cm or more long. Leaves 2.5-12 cm long, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, acute, glabrous. Flowers very numerous, bright blue, and borne in racemes. Fruit a capsule, ovoid.

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Herbal uses:Pea-sized pills made with the plant are taken with the water thrice a day (one pill each time) for two weeks to treat leucorrhoea.

Paste of whole plant with coconut oil is applied to minor cuts, wounds, and boils as antiseptic for quick healing.

The plant is used for the treatment of pain.

Young shoots are eaten as vegetable and are reported to control diabetes.

Distribution: It is found throughout the country in fallow wet-lands.

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