Water Chestnut

Trapa natans

Physical Characteristics

Trapa natans is a PERENNIAL at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

Distribution

Europe to E. Asia, Indo-China and N. Africa.

Habitats

Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - raw, cooked or dried and ground into a powder[2, 3, 13, 34, 56, 63, 74, 100]. A sweet floury and agreeable flavour[27], similar to sweet chestnuts (Castanea spp)[183]. The seed contains up to 50% starch according to one report[46], 16% starch, 3% protein in another report[117] and 15% protein, 7.5% fat in a third[74]. (Are all these reports talking about the same thing?). One report says that the raw nut contains toxins that are destroyed by cooking the seed[200].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Febrifuge Skin The fruits are used in the preparation of liniments to treat elephantiasis, pestilent fevers, rheumatism, sores, sunburn and skin complaints[418 ].

Known Hazards

The raw seed contains toxins but that these are destroyed in the cooking process[200, 206].