Sawah Lettuce (Limnocharis flava)

Family: Alismataceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Sawah lettuce (Limnocharis flava), also known as yellow sawah lettuve, yellow burr head, or yellow velvetleaf, is an aquatic flowering, clump-forming, perennial plant which produces erect stems about 20-40cm tall from a short thick rhizome. It is native to Dominican Republic, Mexico, Haiti, Cuba, South America, and Central America but widely naturalized in southern and southeastern Asia. The triangular leaves form into clumps.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves, leaf stems, flower stalks and young inflorescences are eaten cooked. They can be steamed like endive or spinach, added to soups or mixed with other vegetables. — Leaves, leaf stems, flower stalks and young inflorescences are eaten cooked.; They can be steamed like endive or spinach, added to soups or mixed with other vegetables.; The young leaves and tops of the plant are boiled or cooked in mixed soups.; The vegetable contains relatively high levels of Calcium, Iron and vitamin A, which are nutrients that are frequently insufficient in the diets of women in low-income countries.

Habitat & North American Range

In or at the edge of water. Shallow swamps, ditches, pools and wet rice fields, occurring usually in stagnant fresh water. (Zone 10)