Hygroryza aristate (NIVARA)

Brhat taryi mentioned nivara under Sali dhanya varieties.  Dalhana called it as ‘ulaji’ in Hindi.  This is identified as hygrorrhiza.

Botanical description – A glabrous floating grass; stem 30 cm long; leaves 2.5-7.5 cm x 13.20 mm, linear or ovate-oblong, obtuse, more or less scaberulous above, smooth and glaucous beneath, subcoriaceous, with smooth or slightly scaberulous margins, base rounded or sucordate; midrib short; sheaths smooth, auricled, compressed; ligule narrow membrane; panicle about 5 cm long; spikelets very narrow, 20 mm long.  This is often cultivated for the purpose of cereals.

Part used –  seeds (grains)

Uses – Seeds act as cooling and astringent; useful in urinary tract infections and bilious disorders.