Sagittaria sagittifolia
Arrow Head, Hawaii arrowhead
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Sagittaria sagittifolia.
General Information
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Wet
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Full sun
Usage properties
Leaves, Root
None
Description
Cooked carrots from this plant have an excellent flavor, similar to that of potatoes when roasted. The tubers are rich in starch and have a pronounced taste. It's important not to eat the tubers raw, as the skin is bitter. After cooking, it is advisable to remove the skin. The dried and ground tubers can be used as powder in dishes such as porridge or added to flour for making bread. The tubers, which are actually the roots of the plant, grow at the ends of thin roots that often lie about 30 cm deep in the ground and at some distance from the mother plant. The tubers of wild plants typically have a diameter of about 15 cm and are best harvested in late summer when the leaves start to wither. The leaves and young stems can also be cooked, although they have a somewhat sharp flavor.