(Redirected from Trapa bicornis)
Trapa natans bispinosa
(Roxb.) Makino
Lythraceae
There have been many, varied views amongst botanistis on how to deliminate the various species in the genus Trapa, with interpretations ranging from almost 80 distinct species right down to the concept that there is only one, highly vaiable species. We are following the interpretation in Plants of the World online (see https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:28563-1, accessed 01/05/2024), which accepts 8 distinct species in the genus, including the highly variable Trapa natans which is itself divided into 8 varieties[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Trapa bicornis Osbeck
Trapa natans bicornis (Osbeck) Makino
Trapa taiwanensis Nakai
Trapa arcuata S.H.Li & Y.L.Chang
Trapa austroafricana V.N.Vassil.
Trapa bicornis bispinosa (Roxb.) Nakano
Trapa bispinosa Roxb.
Trapa chinensis Flerow
Trapa chinensis Lour.
Trapa cochinchinensis Lour.
Trapa congolensis V.N.Vassil.
Trapa dimorphocarpa Z.S.Diao
Trapa insperata V.N.Vassil.
Trapa japonica Flerow
Trapa jeholensis Nakai
Trapa manshurica bispinosa Flerow
Common Name: Ling
General Information
Trapa natans bispinosa is an annual aquatic herb with a rosette of floating leaves and submerged, paired but not opposite, pinnatisect and leaf-like adventitious roots[
324- Title
- Edible Nuts.
- Publication
- Non-Wood Forest Products, Handbook 5
- Author
- Wickens G.E.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org/docrep/
- Publisher
- FAO, Rome.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 92-5-103748-5
- Description
- Detailed information on 20 of the most valuable nut crops, plus more basic information on a wide range of other nut-producing plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The plant can be free-floating in the water, or rooting in the mud in shallow water. It is also able to grow out of water in very wet, muddy soils[
].
Often called water chestnut (though this name properly refers to a quite different plant, Eleocharis dulcis). The plant has a long history of use, with evidence showing that the seeds were a major component of the human diet several thousand years ago, Its use as a food crop has greatly declined in recent times in Europe, but it is a very important crop in many parts of Asia, especially China and India where it is widely cultivated for its nutritious, edible seeds and has various medicinal properties[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
2216- Title
- Trapa natans (Water Chestnut): An Overview
- Publication
- IRJP 2012, 3 (6) pp 31-33
- Author
- Shalabh B., Akash J. & Jasmine C.
- Website
- http://www.irjponline.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2012
- ISBN
- 2230-8407
- Description
-
]. The plant is also grown as an ornamental in aquaria and outdoor ponds.
Trapa natans is a widespread and does not face any major global threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Trapa natans is a productive, annual, floating-leaved plant which has been cultivated globally for the nutritious nut it produces. It is an extremely important food crop in China and India and is a protected species in Europe, but in its introduced range (particularly eastern N. America)), it grows in thick stands that displace native vegetation and affect water quality. Thick beds of water chestnut can cause significant declines in dissolved oxygen that negatively affect sensitive fauna. The nearly impenetrable mats are of virtually no use to wildlife and interfere with boating, fishing and swimming, while the large, spiny nuts can cause injuries to swimmers. The plant sets abundant seed, making it difficult to eradicate once it is introduced. The plant is designated as invasive in eastern N. America.[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
Known Hazards
The raw seed contains toxins but that these are destroyed in the cooking process[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
206- Title
- Oriental Vegetables
- Publication
-
- Author
- Larkcom J.
- Publisher
- John Murray
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-7195-4781-4
- Description
- Well written and very informative.
].
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
Range
Africa - tropical regions from Chad and Sudan to Namibia and Mozambique. E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, to Russian Far East, China, Japan, Korea, Viet
Habitat
Swamps and ponds[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
Properties
Weed Potential | Yes |
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Habit | Perennial |
Height | 0.00 m |
Pollinators | Self, Insects |
Self-fertile | Yes |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Trapa natans bispinosa has a very wide native range from tropical Africa and southeast Asia to the temperate regions of the Russian Far East. It is mainly found in the seasonally dry tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 25°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[
]. When dormant, the plant (in the form of a seed) can survive temperatures down to about -25°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[
]. Plants can be grown in the temperate zone, but require a high summer temperature in order to perform well[
206- Title
- Oriental Vegetables
- Publication
-
- Author
- Larkcom J.
- Publisher
- John Murray
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-7195-4781-4
- Description
- Well written and very informative.
].
An aquatic plant, floating by means of inflated petioles, it succeeds in still or slowly-flowing water requiring a position in full sun and a slightly acidic water with a rich planting medium[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
This species was used for food in Neolithic Britain, though it is now extinct there[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
Seed - cooked. A crunchy texture with a bland flavour[
206- Title
- Oriental Vegetables
- Publication
-
- Author
- Larkcom J.
- Publisher
- John Murray
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-7195-4781-4
- Description
- Well written and very informative.
]. Rich in starch, the raw seed contains a deleterious principle that is destroyed by cooking[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The cooked seed can be dried and ground into a powder[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Medicinal
The fruit (seed) is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an antidiarrhoeal, aphrodisiac, appetizer, astringent, diuretic, nutrient, refrigerant and tonic. It is also useful in the treatment of lumbago, sore throat, bronchitis, bilious affections, fatigue and inflammation[
218- Title
- Medicinal Plants of China
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications, Inc.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-917256-20-4
- Description
- Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
,
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
2216- Title
- Trapa natans (Water Chestnut): An Overview
- Publication
- IRJP 2012, 3 (6) pp 31-33
- Author
- Shalabh B., Akash J. & Jasmine C.
- Website
- http://www.irjponline.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2012
- ISBN
- 2230-8407
- Description
-
].
The fruits are used in the preparation of liniments to treat elephantiasis, pestilent fevers, rheumatism, sores, sunburn and skin complaints[
218- Title
- Medicinal Plants of China
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications, Inc.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-917256-20-4
- Description
- Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
,
,
2216- Title
- Trapa natans (Water Chestnut): An Overview
- Publication
- IRJP 2012, 3 (6) pp 31-33
- Author
- Shalabh B., Akash J. & Jasmine C.
- Website
- http://www.irjponline.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2012
- ISBN
- 2230-8407
- Description
-
].
The juice of the stems is used to treat eye disorders[
2216- Title
- Trapa natans (Water Chestnut): An Overview
- Publication
- IRJP 2012, 3 (6) pp 31-33
- Author
- Shalabh B., Akash J. & Jasmine C.
- Website
- http://www.irjponline.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2012
- ISBN
- 2230-8407
- Description
-
].
The plant is used medicinally to treat rabies, poisonous animal bites, diarrhoea, amoebic dysentery and other complications[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
]. It has allso been used in a herbal mixture that has proven to provide relief from the symptoms associated with recurrent herpes genitalis and labialis[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
The flowers are astringent in fluxes[
218- Title
- Medicinal Plants of China
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications, Inc.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-917256-20-4
- Description
- Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
].
The rind of the fruit has been discovered to have antibacterial activity, and is primarily effective against gram negative bacteria[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
]. A methanol extract of the fruit rind has shown a hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activity, reducing and normalizing blood glucose levels[
2216- Title
- Trapa natans (Water Chestnut): An Overview
- Publication
- IRJP 2012, 3 (6) pp 31-33
- Author
- Shalabh B., Akash J. & Jasmine C.
- Website
- http://www.irjponline.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2012
- ISBN
- 2230-8407
- Description
-
].
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is known to fix nitrogen and phosphorus from the water[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
]. It has the potential to be used as a tool to reduce eutrophication, however, the vegetation must be removed annually prior to its decay in order to prevent the subsequent release of these sequestered nutrients back into the water[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
The plant may also be used in environmental reclamation projects, as it is capable of accumulating heavy metals, although not at levels as high as some other species commonly used in this capacity[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
Other Uses
The seeds are sometimes used as beads in necklaces and rosaries[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
324- Title
- Edible Nuts.
- Publication
- Non-Wood Forest Products, Handbook 5
- Author
- Wickens G.E.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org/docrep/
- Publisher
- FAO, Rome.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 92-5-103748-5
- Description
- Detailed information on 20 of the most valuable nut crops, plus more basic information on a wide range of other nut-producing plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant is a potential source of biomass. It has been recommended for use as paper pulp, fertilizer, compost and biofuel[
1093- Title
- Invasive Species Compendium
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.cabi.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
Propagation
The seed can remain viable for up to 10 years at the bottom of a pond, but quickly loses its vitality if it is allowed to become dry. Either sow immediately, or store in jars of cold water. Place one seed in each pot and submerge them under a few centimetres of water.