八仙过海 ba xian guo hai

Basionym: Cryptocoryne yunnanensis H. Li, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 15(2): 108. 1977.

Leaves upright to flat on soil surface, rather stiff, mostly green but sometimes brownish, 5-30 × 0.5-1.5 cm, smooth to slightly undulate. During times of high water, leaves become small and terete, and when becoming emergent, new larger leaves and spathes develop. Spathe with a rather short tube 8-12 cm; limb rather thick in texture and with a rather short spiral, with a yellowish base color and somewhat distant to very dense dark reddish spots that sometimes become longer irregular lines into throat. Fl. Nov-Apr. 2n = 36.

Riverbanks, riverbeds; near sea level to 600 m. Yunnan [Laos, Thailand, Vietnam].

The plants are used medicinally for treating traumatic injuries, rheumatic arthralgia, and stomach aches.