| Lasia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lasia spinosa | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Lasioideae |
| Genus: | Lasia Lour. |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Lasius Hassk. | |
Lasia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to Asia and New Guinea. The genus contains only two known species, Lasia spinosa and Lasia concinna.[1][2][3] Lasia was believed to be a monotypic genus until 1997 when a wild population of Lasia concinna was discovered in a farmer's paddy fieldinWest Kalimantan, Indonesia. The farmer had been growing them for their edible young leaves. This species of Lasia had been known of previously only from a single specimen at the Bogor Botanic Gardens, formally described in 1920.[4] Prior to 1997, the specimen was believed to have been a hybrid between Lasia spinosa and Cyrtosperma merkusii.[5] The subsequent discovery by Hambali and Sizemore led to the realization that it was in fact a distinct species.[6][7]
In Sri Lanka, Lasia spinosa is known as kohila (කොහිල) and the leaves and rhizomes of the plant are used in Sri Lankan cuisine.[8]
Leaf extract of Lasia spinosa has shown significant anthelminthic efficacy against the adult stages and migrating larvae of Trichinella spiralis. doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2551-9.
In Myanmar, Lasia plant is known as Zayit (in Myanmar ဇရစ်). Its shoots are used in cuisines either as fried cuisine or soup. [9] [10] [11]
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