Herb: Water Hawthorn


Latin name: Aponogeton distachyos


Family: Aponogetonaceae (Cape-pondweed Family)



Edible parts of Water Hawthorn:

Tuber - roasted. Starchy. Considered to be a great delicacy. Flowering spike - pickled or used as a spinach or asparagus substitute. The young shoots are used as an asparagus substitute. The flowers are used as a flavouring.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Flowering:
April to
October

Scent:
Scented
Perennial

Habitat of the herb:

Pond margins in water 15 - 60cm deep.

Propagation of Water Hawthorn:

Seed - best sown in a pot as soon as it is ripe and kept emmersed in 3cm of water. The seed can also be stored in water and sown in spring. It usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°C. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in just covered in water in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division can be carried out at any time in the growing season, though mid to late spring is probably best. The divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions.

Cultivation of the herb:

Pond margins in water 15 - 60cm deep.

Medicinal use of Water Hawthorn:

None known

Known hazards of Aponogeton distachyos:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.