Lasia spinosa

Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. [Thwaites] 336 (1864).

Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites, Photo by Phung Thu Cuc

its native range is Tropical & Subtropical Asia.

Vietnamese name:

Ráy gai, Rau mác gai, Rau chân vịt, Khoai sọ gai, Sơn thục gai, Cây cừa, Mớp gai, Củ chóc gai, Klang đởn (Kho).

Uses: 

Cure cough, sore throat, rheumatism, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver ascites (Rhizophrenia decoction). Also used to treat edema and stomach pain.

Distribution:

In Vietnam, Ray Gai is scattered throughout the localities in the plains, midlands and low mountains.