Herb's Introduction
Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn., commonly known as Chicken-spike, Gooseweed, or Wedgewort, is an erect, annual, herbaceous plant belonging to the family Sphenocleaceae. It is a widespread species native to Africa, Madagascar, and tropical and subtropical Asia, including India and Sri Lanka, and has been widely introduced across the New World tropics and subtropics. Although often classified as one of the world's worst weeds, particularly in rice paddies where it can cause significant yield losses (25-50%), it is simultaneously valued as an edible vegetable and a traditional medicinal plant in many regions. The plant thrives in wet places, such as swamps, ditches, and inundated fields, growing up to 1.5 meters tall.
Name in Different Countries
The plant is known by various common names across its vast distribution, reflecting its appearance or use: Scientific Name: Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn. Family: Sphenocleaceae English: Chicken-spike, Gooseweed, Wedgewort, Hollowstem Chinese: 尖瓣花 (Jiānbàn huā) Spanish: Sfenoclea Tamil: Nandu Kannu, Mudhalaippoondu Sinhala (Sri Lanka): Maha mudumahana Thai: Phak pum pa, Phak kum pa, Phak pot, Phak pot na, Phak pum pla Indonesian (Javanese): Goonda, Goenda (also used for Hydrolea zeylanica)
Terminology
Herb: A plant with non-woody stems, typically dying down to the ground after flowering or at the end of the growing season. Sphenoclea zeylanica is an erect, annual herb. Annual: A plant that completes its life cycle—from germination to the production of seeds—within one year. Fistulous: Meaning the stem is hollow, a characteristic feature of this herb's stem, which is also described as spongy or fleshy. Aerenchymatous Tissue: A specialized tissue with large air spaces, often found in aquatic or semi-aquatic plants like S. zeylanica, helping with buoyancy and gas exchange in flooded conditions. Weed: A plant growing where it is not wanted, especially in cultivated fields. Its status as a prominent weed in rice cultivation is a key part of its terminology. Alleolopathic: Refers to the production of biochemicals by one plant that influences the growth, survival, or reproduction of other plants. S. zeylanica produces allelopathic substances that can inhibit the growth of other plants, including rice. Edible Wild Plant: A plant that grows naturally and is consumed as food, as are the young leaves and shoots of this species.
Availability
Sphenoclea zeylanica is widely available throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Native Range: Africa, Madagascar, Tropical and Subtropical Asia (including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia), and Northern Australia. Naturalized Range: Widely introduced and naturalized across the New World tropics and subtropics, from the southern United States down to northern Argentina. Habitat: It is a semiaquatic plant that thrives in wet places, such as: Lowland rice fields (where it is a common and troublesome weed) Swamps, marshes, and margins of pools Ditches and irrigation channels Cultivation/Harvest: While often considered a weed, it is also cultivated as a vegetable crop by local farmers in some areas, such as Bali, Indonesia. It can be found for sale in wet markets.
External Look
The description provided gives a detailed external look: Habit: Erect, branched herb, growing up to 125 cm (sometimes 1.5 m) high. Stem: The stem is noteworthy; it is often divaricately branched, thickened towards the base, hollow (fistulous), and the inner cortex is replaced by spongy, aerenchymatous tissue, giving it a fleshy feel, especially in the lower parts. Leaves: They are simple, spirally arranged, oval to oblong-elliptic, about 8.6-11.5 cm long and 2.2-4.7 cm wide. They are entire (smooth margin), membranous, and often have a glaucous (bluish-green) surface. They are borne on short petioles (1-3 cm long). Inflorescence (Flowers): The flowers are many, densely crowded, and sessile (without a stalk) on terminal, cylindrical-conical spikes. The spikes are ovoid, typically to 3 cm long, borne on peduncles up to 6 cm long. Flower Color: The corolla is small, typically white, greenish-white, or sometimes pinkish-yellow. Fruit (Capsule): The fruit is a depressed-globose (flattened spherical) capsule, 3-3.5 mm in diameter, chartaceous (papery), and dehisces (opens) below the calyx lobes. Seeds: Oblong-cuneate, very small (0.5-0.8 mm long), yellowish-brown, and minutely ridged longitudinally.
Healing Properties
Traditional uses and phytochemical analysis suggest the presence of compounds with potential healing properties. Traditional Uses: In traditional medicine systems, parts of Sphenoclea zeylanica have been used for: Treating ulcers. Being applied as a poultice against the stings of venomous animals. A decoction of the whole fresh plant has been used for bloody dysentery. Used for skin disorders in some regions. The plant ashes are reported to be used for treating bruises and boils. Phytochemical Composition: Studies have indicated the presence of several important secondary metabolites, including: Alkaloids Tannins Flavonoids Phenols Steroids Saponins Cardiac glycosides Reported Properties (Based on components/uses): These phytochemicals suggest potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, and astringent properties, supporting its traditional use in treating wounds, skin disorders, and dysentery.
Advantages
The advantages of Sphenoclea zeylanica span both nutritional and medicinal domains: Nutritional Value: The young leaves and shoot tips are edible and nutritious, often consumed as a steamed vegetable (lalab in Indonesia) or potherb. They are reported to be high in β-carotene (a precursor to Vitamin A) and high in ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), with moderate levels of crude protein, total carbohydrates, and crude fiber. Medicinal Potential: The presence of various phytochemicals like flavonoids and phenols offers potential for developing natural remedies with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Resource Availability: As a highly widespread and prolific plant, often classified as a weed, its resource is readily available in wet tropical and subtropical environments, making it an accessible food and medicine source for local populations. Adaptability: It is a resilient plant, able to grow in flooded soils and compete effectively for nutrients, which contributes to its reliability as a resource.
Uses
Sphenoclea zeylanica is utilized in three primary ways: As a Food Source (Edible Vegetable): Young leaves and tips of older shoots are consumed. Typically eaten after being slightly boiled or steamed, often served with rice (e.g., in Indonesia, India). Can be mixed with grated coconut. Used in frying as a snack (rempeyek in Indonesia) or juiced as a beverage. In Traditional Medicine (Folkloric Use): Used topically as a poultice for venomous animal stings and ulcers. Used internally for bloody dysentery (as a decoction). Plant ashes are used for boils and bruises. Used for general skin disorders. Ecological/Agricultural Significance (Negative Use): It is one of the world's most troublesome weeds, severely impacting rice yields (up to 50% loss) due to competition for light and nutrients. Its allelopathic nature inhibits the growth of rice and other crops.
Using way
The method of use depends entirely on the intended purpose (food or medicine): As Food: Preparation: Young leaves and shoot tips are harvested. They should generally be lightly boiled, steamed, or cooked before consumption. Cooking is often recommended to ensure edibility and potentially reduce any slight bitterness. Consumption: Eaten directly as a side dish, mixed with other foods (like grated coconut), or processed into snacks or juices. As Traditional Medicine: Topical Application (Stings, Ulcers, Boils, Bruises): The leaves are used to prepare a poultice (a soft, moist mass applied to the body) or the plant is burnt and the ashes are applied. Internal Application (Dysentery): A decoction (extract made by boiling the plant material in water) of the whole fresh plant is prepared and consumed orally.
Conclusion
Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn., or Chicken-spike, is a fascinating example of a plant that holds a dual status as both a noxious agricultural weed and a valuable resource. Morphologically characterized by its hollow, spongy stem and terminal flower spikes, it is an annual herb thriving in wet, tropical environments across the globe. While its aggressive growth and allelopathic effects cause severe economic losses in rice production, its young shoots and leaves are a source of nutrition, rich in essential vitamins like β-carotene and Ascorbic acid. Furthermore, traditional medicine systems in Asia have long utilized the plant for its healing properties, including its use against ulcers, venomous stings, and dysentery, supported by the presence of various beneficial phytochemicals. This juxtaposition highlights the complex relationship between human agriculture, traditional knowledge, and the plant world. Its ready availability and inherent resilience ensure its continued, albeit conflicted, role as both a challenge to farmers and a benefit to local diets and remedies.
