Trapa natans
Plant Details
General Information
Scientific name:
Trapa natans
Also known as:
Water Chestnut
Images:
Google Images
Plant Properties
Layer:
Water
Format:
Smal
Height:
0.20 m
Width:
- m
Growth Rate:
-
Leaf:
-
Growth conditions
USDA Hardiness:
6-12
Soil Moisture:
Wet
Wet
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acid Neutral
Acid Neutral
Light:
Sun
Sun
Usage properties
Edible part:
Seed
Seed
Edibility:
Medicinal:
Features:
None
None
Description
Seeds can be eaten raw, but also cooked or dried and ground into powder. They have a sweet, floral, and pleasant taste, similar to chestnuts. Various reports indicate that the seeds can contain up to 50% starch, while other reports vary between 16% starch and 3% protein, and 15% protein and 7.5% fat. It seems that these reports are not discussing the same types of seeds. One report warns that raw seeds contain toxic substances that are destroyed by cooking them.
Harvest Data
Start Harvest:
01/10
End of Harvest:
31/10
Guilds
Guild Information
Click on a plant in the diagram for more information.
Guild Details
| Guild | Description |
|---|---|
|
Mentha aquatica Water mint |
Mentha aquatica helps to repel pests and improve the growth of Trapa natans by providing shade and moist conditions. |
|
Nasturtium officinale Watercress |
Nasturtium officinale attracts beneficial insects and helps to purify water, which is beneficial for Trapa natans. |
|
Myriophyllum spicatum Water Milfoil |
Myriophyllum spicatum provides habitat for aquatic organisms and helps stabilize sediment, which supports the growth of Trapa natans. |
|
Potamogeton lucens Broad-Leaved Pondweed |
Potamogeton lucens offers additional shade and habitat for aquatic life, creating a balanced ecosystem for Trapa natans. |