Chinese Violet,
known in Thai as oum
saeb and bah yah, is a fast-growing, perennial creeper in the family Acanthaceae, and with the
botanical name Asystasia gangetica subspecies micrantha.
The plant has bright green somewhat heart-shaped leaves and
long stalks that have small white flowers with purple blotches on the lower lip.
Chinese Violet
Chinese Violet
It is an invasive weed that quickly forms dense mats and
out-competes native vegetation, thus reducing
habitat and food for native fauna.