 It has long been used as a cheap food source in Burma, Laos, and Thailand, where it is known as "khai-nam" ("eggs of the water").The plant is prolific in its reproduction, growing in floating mats that can be harvested every 3 to 4 days; it has been shown to double its population in less than four days "in vitro".It is also useful as a form of agricultural and municipal water treatment.