Herb: Water Ribbons


Latin name: Triglochin procera


Family: Juncaginaceae (Arrow-grass Family)



Edible parts of Water Ribbons:

Tuber - baked. Fruit - raw or cooked. A pleasant, pea-like flavour.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
60 cm
(2 feet)

Habitat of the herb:

Lakes, swamps and streams, sometimes in deeper waters.

Propagation of Water Ribbons:

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Stand the pots in about 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Cultivation of the herb:

Lakes, swamps and streams, sometimes in deeper waters.

Medicinal use of Water Ribbons:

None known

Known hazards of Triglochin procera:

The green leaves of plants can contain a toxic cyanogenic glycoside, it is especially present during and just after a drought and is particularly toxic to ruminants. Plants growing in Britain are usually perfectly safe, this is probably due to the climate.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.