Hygrophila corymbosa (Introduced)

Hygrophila corymbosa (Blume) Lindau, Fragm. Fl. Philipp. 1: 38 (1904) (syn: Echinacanthus brugmansianus Nees ; Echinacanthus javanicus Kuntze ; Hygrophila stricta var. corymbosa (Blume) Benoist; Justicia roxburghiana Nees ; Nomaphila corymbosa Blume; Nomaphila siamensis C.B.Clarke);
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Indo-China, Philippines: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand; Introduced into: Florida, Mexico Northeast as per POWO;
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749 ID wild plant: 19 high res. images.
Please ID wild plant,

Location: Koothattukulam Ernakulam Kerala INDIA

Altitude: 300fsl

Flower date: 14FEB2026, 05.15pm

Habitat: wild moisture marshy sloppy streamside

Plant habit: small erect/ascending branched aromatic herb, weak cylindrical stem 10mm base diameter, purplish sprout, glanded hairs, perennial

Height: 02.5 feet

Leaves: opposite elliptic acute leathery hairy aromatic wavy margins, size upto: 09×4cm

Flower: axillary panicle inflorescence, violet, fragrant diameter: 08mm

Fruit: capsule green into brown cylindrically ovoid size: 25mm

Seed:

Hygrophila corymbosa (Blume) Lindau but the distribution is doubtful.

Yes, it is Hygrophila corymbosa, dear …, thank you very much for ID my plant. It may be an aquarium escaped.

Yes, appears correct as per images at
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Hygrophila-corymbosa-in-Cd-Mante-Tamaulipas-Mexico-A-emerging-plant-B-submerged_fig2_329488824
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/hygrophila_corymbosa.htm?
https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Temple%20Mint.html
https://earthone.io/zh/plant/hygrophila%20corymbosa

Google AI view says

Hygrophila corymbosa, also known as the Temple Plant, Giant Hygro, or Temple Mint, is a popular, fast-growing aquatic plant native to India and other parts of Southeast Asia. It is widely used in Indian aquascaping as a background or midground plant due to its ability to create dense, lush foliage.

Varieties Available in India

Several cultivars are commonly sold by Indian aquarium retailers:

Hygrophila corymbosa (Standard): The classic “Giant Hygro” with broad, bright green leaves.
Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Compacta’: A dwarf variety with shorter internodes, making it look bushier and suitable for smaller tanks.
Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Siamensis’: Features narrower leaves and can develop bronze or reddish tints under high light.
Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Stricta’: Known for its upright, vertical growth and tightly packed leaves

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References:
POWO
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Hygrophila-corymbosa-in-Cd-Mante-Tamaulipas-Mexico-A-emerging-plant-B-submerged_fig2_329488824
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/hygrophila_corymbosa.htm?
https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Temple%20Mint.html
https://earthone.io/zh/plant/hygrophila%20corymbosa

Updated on March 19, 2026