White water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is a fast-growing aquatic vine with hollow, crisp stems (often white) and arrowhead-shaped leaves, related to sweet potatoes, prized in Asian cuisine for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and crisp texture, used in stir-fries, soups, or salads, offering nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Stems: Hollow, spongy, and can grow long, allowing them to float; they are often white or light green and root at nodes.

Leaves: Light green, arrowhead (sagittate) or heart-shaped, smooth, and float on water.

Flowers: Trumpet-shaped, typically white or pale purple with a mauve center. 

Flavor & Texture

Taste: Mild, slightly sweet, and spinach-like.

Texture: The leaves are tender, while the hollow stems offer a pleasant crispness when cooked. 

Habitat: Grows in water or moist soil in tropical climates.

Varieties: "White stem" and "green stem" are common; the white-stemmed type is often considered more tender and flavorful. 

Uses: Stir-fried (especially with garlic/oyster sauce), added to soups, or eaten raw in salads.

Nutrition: Rich in vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium), fiber, and antioxidants like beta-carotene.

Thai water spinach (Pak Boong) is a fast-growing, hollow-stemmed aquatic vine with arrowhead-shaped leaves and trumpet-like flowers, known for its tender stems and mild, slightly sweet, vegetal flavor, making it a staple in Southeast Asian stir-fries, soups, and curries, prized for its vibrant green color and quick cooking time. 

Stems: Long, hollow, smooth, succulent, and tender, ranging from green to whitish.

Leaves: Light to dark green, heart-shaped or arrowhead-shaped (sagittate) with long petioles (leaf stalks).

Flowers: Trumpet-shaped, usually white with a mauve center, but can also be pink or pale lilac. 

Taste: Mild, slightly nutty, with sweet and mineral notes, not bitter like regular spinach.

Texture: Crisp and pliable when young, becoming tender when cooked.

Culinary Uses: Popular in Thai dishes like Pad Pak Boong Fai Daeng (stir-fried with garlic and chili), curries, and soups, often cooked quickly to retain color. 

Habitat: Grows in water or moist soil, rooting at nodes, with long, trailing vines.

Climate: Thrives in tropical, warm, humid conditions and is intolerant of frost. 

Common Names:

Water Spinach, Morning Glory, Kangkong, Swamp Cabbage, Chinese Spinach, Ong Choy.