Heteranthera reniformis

Ruiz et Pav.

Mud plantain

Pontederiaceae Edible: Leaves, Stems Potential hazards — see below 1,716 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

Summary

Heteranthera reniformis common name kidneyleaf mud-plantain, and mud plantain; is a species of flowering plant in the family Pontederiaceae. It is found in North America. It is listed as a special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. It listed as endangered in Illinois and Ohio.

Description

A scrambling plant. The stems are long and branching. The leaves are kidney shaped and are about 2.5 cm across. The flowers occur in bunches and are pale blue.

Edible Uses

The leaves and leaf stalks are cooked and eaten.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and leaf stalks are cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

This species can be invasive.

Distribution

It grows in warm and tropical places. It can grow along the edges of ponds. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Indies,

Notes

There are 10 Heteranthera species. They grow in water and are mostly in tropical America. It can be invasive.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Leaves	—	—	23	—	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

Buchosia aquatica Vell.Buchozia aquatica Vell.Heterandra reniformis (Ruiz & Pav.) P. Beauv.Heteranthera acuta Willd.Heteranthera acuta VahlHeteranthera pubescens VahlHeteranthera reniformis var. conjungens O. SchwarzHeteranthera virginica (Pers.) Steud.Leptanthus peruvianus Pers.Leptanthus reniformis (Ruiz & Pav.) Michx.Leptanthus virginicus Pers.Phrynium reniforme (Ruiz & Pav.) KuntzePhrynium reniforme var. acutum (Willd.) KuntzeSchollera reniformis (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze

Also Known As

Agriao-de-brejo, Aguape, Berdolaga de agua, Berro de ciervo, Kidneyleaf mud-plantain, Lechuca, Pavoa, Tora sira

References (9)

Alimenticias - FloraSBS
Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A., and Seberg, O., 2007, Flowering Plant Families of the World. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. p 396
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 128
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 415
Kew Plants of the World Online

Show all 9 references

Kinupp, V. F., 2007, Plantas alimenticias nao-convencionais da regiao metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil p 94
Kinupp, V. F. & Bergman, I., 2008, Protein and minerals of native species, potential vegetables and fruits. Cienc.Tecnol. Aliment. Vol. 28 No. 4 Campinas Oct/Dec.
Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 214
Slocum, P.D. & Robinson, P., 1999, Water Gardening. Water Lilies and Lotuses. Timber Press. p 94