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Summary

Wolffia globosa, commonly known as Khai Nam or Water-Eggs, is a very small aquatic herb with free floating fronds. It is a tropical and subtropical plant and one of the smallest flowering plants worldwide. It is a cultivated vegetable crop in Laos, Burma, and Thailand. The edible leaves have an excellent flavor and are very nutritious. No plant part is of medicinal use.

Physical Characteristics

Wolffia globosa is an evergreen Perennial at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked. An excellent flavour, they taste somewhat like a sweet cabbage[183 ]. The leaves are very nutritious, containing about 20% protein, 44% carbohydrate. 5% fat and are rich in vitamins A, B2, B6, C and nicotinic acid[183 ].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Vitamin C

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Agroforestry uses: Wolffia globosa is often used in aquaculture systems as a high-protein food source for fish and other aquatic animals. It can also help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: No – Wolffia globosa is a tiny aquatic plant known for its small size and lack of prominent flowers. It doesn’t produce significant nectar or pollen. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – Wolffia globosa is edible and is consumed in various cultures. It provides a food source for aquatic organisms, and while it does not offer traditional shelter, it can contribute to habitat structure in aquatic environments. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – It can provide some habitat for small aquatic invertebrates, serving as a substrate in water bodies where they can find shelter. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Wolffia globosa is not known for any pest-confusing properties or aromatic compounds that deter pests.

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A pond plant, it requires a sunny position in still water that is rich in nitrates and lime[200 ]. It over-winters in temperate areas by means of resting buds which sink to the bottom of the pond in the late autumn and rise again in the spring[200 ]. Reports for the uses of this plant are often wrongly cited under Wolffia arrhiza[301 ]. Khai Nam can be harvested throughout the year, but it is typically collected in late summer to early autumn when growth is abundant. It flowers throughout the year, depending on the climate, but primarily in summer. Khai Nam is one of the fastest-growing plants, doubling its biomass in just a few days under optimal conditions. Wolffia globosa is self-fertile.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but, since it can spread rapidly by division, it really needs no extra help once it is in a pond.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Khai nae, Khai-nam, Kipum, Mijinko-uki-kusa, Wu gen ping,

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hong Kong, Honshu, Hubei Sheng, Japan, Jiangsu Sheng, Kyushu, Shikoku, Taiwan,China. TROPICAL ASIA: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Colombia, Ecuador, PACIFIC: United States, Hawaii,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Wolffia arrhiza	Least Duckweed, Spotless watermeal	Perennial	0.0	6-9		LMH	N	Wa	4	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Author

(Roxb.) Hartog. & Plas.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Wolffia globosa - (Roxb.) Hartog. & Plas.