Botany
Smaller than gabi-gabihan (Monochoria hastata). Rootstocks are short, suberect or creeping. Leaves are variable, long-petioled, linear to ovate, oblong-ovate to broadly ovate, with a sharply acuminate apex and cordate base. Petioles are usually less than 30 cm. Infloresences are few, 3-6 cm long. Flowers are blue, about 1 cm long, pedicles less than 1 cm long. Capsules are oblong.

Distribution
In low and medium altitudes, in open wet places, rice paddies, etc.

Parts utilized
Leaves, roots.

Uses
Folkloric
Leaves are poulticed after boils have burst.
Juice of roots for stomach and liver problems, asthma and toothace.
In India, used for burns and scals; general debility, fever, hemorrahge, cough and scurvy. (Link)
In Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, root is used for toothaces and sugared bark for asthma.
Others
Tubers and leaves are eaten, raw or cooked.

Studies
• Monochoria vaginalis, one of the plants considered promising candidates for cleaning up arsenic-contaminated surface water and wetland areas.


Availability
Wild-crafted. 

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Anti-pyretic effect of Monochoria vaginalis Presl in rodents / B.Kaushik, R. Patel et al / National seminar on Research and Education in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13/04/08, GRY Institute of Pharmacy,Borawan- Khargon, MP, (2008)
(2)
Assessment of potential indigenous plant species for the phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated areas of Bangladesh.
R Mahmud, N Inoue, SY Kasajima, R Shaheen / Int J Phytoremediation (0) 10: 117-30.