What is a weed? Plants which grow out of their place interfering the utilization of natural resources. They are prolific, persistent, resistant, competitive, harmful and even poisonous in nature and can grow under adverse climatic conditions
What are aquatic weeds? Unabated plants which grow and complete their life cycle in water and cause harm to aquatic environment directly and to related eco environment relatively Essential parts of natural aquatic systems and form the basis of a water body’s health and productivity
Aquatic weeds
There are two types of aquatic weeds 1. Algae 2. Flowering weeds They are divided into three groups: a. Emergent weeds - shore and marginal b. Floating weeds - free floating and rooted floating c. Submerged weeds - rooted and non-rooted
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Edible aquatic weeds in Sri Lanka
Aquatic weeds can provide three types of food,
foliage use as green vegetable, grain
seeds provide protein, starch, oil
fleshy swollen roots provide carbohydrates .
Some common aquatic weeds and their parts are consumed by human
Potentials of edible aquatic weeds in Sri Lanka
Source of nutrition in rural areas Source of income supplying as foods weaving baskets or bags Supplying as medicines Supplying flowers Restore water bodies As feeds for livestock animals Raw materials for industries
110 Lotus Flowers ideas | flowers, lotus, water lilies
Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus)
The fruits are like nuts, oblong-ovoid and brown. The fruit possess the black, hard and ovoid seeds
Lotus is perennial, rhizomatous and aquatic herb usually grows to the height of 150 cm and has a horizontal spread of 3 m.
Ornamental aquatic plant
The stems are thick which bears flowers several
The flowers are sweet scented. Petals are white to rosy and numerous
Usage of Nelumbo nucifera
Flowers For offerings in the temples and for decorations For commercial productions Perfumes Tea Ayurvedic medicine Blocks absorption of fat that helps lower cholesterol
Usage of Nelumbo nucifera
Seeds As a commercial food product Rich contents of B vitamins, dietary fiber, proteins and antioxidants Two types of dried lotus seeds can be found commercially; white and brown peel Ayurvedic medicine Used in the treatment of various cancer, bleeding disorders, tissue inflammation, diabetes , skin diseases and cardiovascular diseases
Usage of Nelumbo nucifera
Use as a food wrappers Employment opportunity for villagers Ayurvedic medicine Blocks absorption of fat that helps lower cholesterol Use for the treatment of several disorders including skin disease, cough, inflammation, fever and many other disorders The leaves are used as an effective drug for hematemesis Leaves
Usage of Nelumbo nucifera
Roots Consume as a food A fiber-rich food mainly consumed in dry season common source of food in salads, soups and sauces Supplying to the market provides a substantial employment opportunity for villagers Ayurvedic medicine For treating leukoderma , small pox, diarrhea, dysentery and cough
Olu (Hairy Water Lily) | Hairy Water Liliy (Nymphaea pubesce… | Flickr
Nymphaea pubescens (Water lily)
Have erect perennial rhizomes or rootstocks that anchor it to the mud in the botto m
Water lily is a aquatic rhizomatous weed
They are distributed throughout the island
They are distributed throughout the island and abundant in the dry zone
Ornamental aquatic plant
Usage of Nymphaea pubescens
For commercial productions Olu tea - Provide employment opportunity for villagers
Ayurvedic medicine Act as a blood purifier and used to treat palpitation of the heart
Usage of Nymphaea pubescens
Seeds For commercial products Olu rice Olu seed flour (Seeds flour with wheat flour in cookies and evaluation of their organoleptic properties) Possessing antibacterial properties and highly prescribed for the diabetic patients
Ipomoea aquatica - Wikipedia
Ipomoea aquatica ( Water spinach )
It is a popular leaf vegetable in Sri Lanka as well as other Asian countries
Water spinach is a aquatic plant belong to the morning glory family
Commonly found near the water bodies such as border of paddy fields, marsh land or close to tank in dry zone
Also cultivate commercially in populated areas
Usage of Ipomoea aquatica
Consume as a Food Related parts are leaves and young stem Employment opportunity for villagers
Ayurvedic medicine Related parts in treatments are leaves, whole plants and buds Treatment for diabetes mellitus Ring worm infestation Fever
Katuikiriya | Marsh Barble Tree | Hygrophila schulli | Trees in Sri Lanka
Marsh Barbel - Hygrophila auriculata - Neera Mulliya | SL Flora
Hygrophila schuli (Neeramulliya)
The plant has small leaves and very thick stems
Family name is Acanthaceae
An evergreen shrub that grows in Sri Lanka
It can be found in wet or dry zones of the low country, growing near water bodies and in marshlands
Usage of Hygrophila schuli
As a Food Related parts are leaves and young stem Employment opportunity for villagers
Ayurvedic medicine Related parts in treatments roots, seeds and whole plant Neeramulliya ayurvedic tea Treatment for Kidney stones Hepatic diseases Gonorrhea
Memory Booster Plant Bacopa monniera (Brahmi): Biotechnology and Molecular Aspects of Bacoside Biosynthesis | SpringerLink
Bacopa monnieri (Lunuwila)
Occurs in open marshy lands and along banks of ponds and creeks of the lowlands. Usually close to the coast Flowering throughout the year
Family name is Scrophulariaceae
Common indigenous herb with creeping stems
Usage of Bacopa monnieri
As a Food Related parts are leaves and young stem Employment opportunity for villagers
Use to produce commercially available products Lunuwila herbal drink / powder /soaps/shampoo
Usage of Bacopa monnieri
Related parts in treatments are stem and leaves Treatment for Insanity Epilepsy Snake bites Ayurvedic medicine