Top: Kerak nasi (Lindernia crustacea, Lindernia nummularifolia)
Bottom: Malayan eyebright, Kerak nasi (Torenia polygonoides)
You have to get really close to the earth to appreciate the beauty of these small plants, often found growing in between other plants.
Lindernias are purple with pointed leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs. Malayan eyebrights are white and red with four green ‘wings’ at the base of the flower. Eyebrights have rounded leaves.
Status: Least concern, Introduced (Tropical Africa)
Habit: Perennial creeper
Cultivation: Planted by seeds or transplanting
Ecological Function: Attracts pollinators, ground cover, produces seeds for birds
Pollinators: Large bees, possibly small flies
Soil: Sandy, loam, clay and organic soils
Moisture: Moist or well drained soils
Shade: Shade, partial shade, no shade
Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) 