Leaves up to 10 cm long, in rosettes. Spathe c. 13 mm long, white, hairy without and contracted above the middle, the limb ± orbicular. Fruit membraneous.

Fl. Per.: During the hot season.

Type: ‘Habitat in Asia, Africae, Americae meriidonalibus natans’.

Distribution: Pantropical. India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The ‘water cabbage’ is found floating in tanks, ponds etc. in most parts of India, and is to be expected in the Punjab. Reported from Razmak, S. Waziristan at 2100 m by Fernandez (R.R. Stewart, Cat. Vase. Pl. W. Pak. 35. 1972). The species has the appearance of halfgrown lettuce plants. The leaves are demulcent and the roots are used as a laxative.