Aeschynomene aspera
Aeschynomene aspera is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is also known by the names sola, shola sola pith plant, pith plant, laugauni or Netti. Pith of low density from this plant is used to make hats known as pith helmets or sola topis.
It is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
It is an aquatic plant and is considered a minor weed of rice paddies across its range.Used part
From the biological viewpoint, the used part is the wood of the stem.
Aeschynomene sp. woods is one of the lightest woods in the world. Aeschynomene woods feel like a piece of thermocol or even lighter, and have a corky texture. It is bright white to off-white in color.
This corky material is used to make some traditional Indian crafts and artworks, and also decorative objects for worship, etc.Gallery
