Trapa natans
L.
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 acicularis V.N.Vassil.
Trapa alatyrica Sprygin ex V.N.Vassil.
Trapa algeriensis V.N.Vassil.
Trapa amurensis Flerow
Trapa annosa Janković
Trapa araborum V.N.Vassil.
Trapa astrachanica (Flerow) N.A.Winter
Trapa bicornis iwasakii Nakano
Trapa bicornis jinumae (Nakano) Nakano
Trapa bispinosa jinumae Nakano
Trapa borysthenica V.N.Vassil.
Trapa brevicarpa Janković
Trapa carinthiaca (Beck) V.N.Vassil.
Trapa caspica V.N.Vassil.
Trapa castanea Gilib.
Trapa caucasica Flerow
Trapa colchica Albov
Trapa conocarpa (F.Aresch.) Flerow
Trapa cruciata (Glück) V.N.Vassil.
Trapa danubialis Dobrocz.
Trapa europaea Flerow
Trapa fastigiata P.Vassil.
Trapa flerovii Dobrocz.
Trapa grozdovii V.N.Vassil. ex V.N.Tikhom.
Trapa hungarica Opiz ex Nyman
Trapa incisa quadricaudata Glück
Trapa jankovicii Tacik
Trapa japonica longicollum Z.T.Xiong
Trapa japonica magnicorona Z.T.Xiong
Trapa japonica tuberculifera (V.N.Vassil.) Tzvelev
Trapa kasachstanica V.N.Vassil.
Trapa kazakorum P.Vassil.
Trapa komarovii V.N.Vassil.
Trapa korshinskyi V.N.Vassil.
Trapa krauselii P.Vassil.
Trapa laevis C.Presl ex Nyman
Trapa litwinowii V.N.Vassil.
Trapa longicarpa Janković
Trapa longicornis V.N.Vassil.
Trapa macrorhiza Dobrocz.
Trapa maeotica Woronow
Trapa maleevii V.N.Vassil.
Trapa manshurica Flerow
Trapa maximowiczii Korsh.
Trapa media (Glück) V.N.Vassil.
Trapa metschorica P.Vassil.
Trapa muzzanensis Jäggi
Trapa numidica V.N.Vassil.
Trapa okensis P.Vassil.
Trapa pectinata V.N.Vassil.
Trapa potaninii V.N.Vassil.
Trapa pseudincisa Nakai
Trapa pseudincisa potaninii (V.N.Vassil.) Tzvelev
Trapa pseudocolchica V.N.Vassil.
Trapa pseudorossica V.N.Vassil.
Trapa pyramidalis V.N.Vassil.
Trapa quadricornis Stokes
Trapa raciborskii Jent.-Szaf. ex Tacik
Trapa rossica V.N.Vassil.
Trapa saissanica (Flerow) V.N.Vassil.
Trapa sajanensis P.Vassil.
Trapa septentrionalis V.N.Vassil.
Trapa sibirica Flerow
Trapa spryginii V.N.Vassil.
Trapa tranzschelii V.N.Vassil.
Trapa tuberculifera V.N.Vassil.
Trapa turbinata P.Vassil.
Trapa ucrainica P.Vassil.
Trapa uralensis P.Vassil.
Trapa verbanensis De Not.
Trapa wolgensis P.Vassil.
Tribulus aquaticus Garsault
Common Name: Water Chestnut
General Information
Trapa natans 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
50- Title
- Flora Europaea
- Publication
-
- Author
- ?
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
,
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
Widespread through temperate and tropical Eurasia and Africa; from western Europe to Japan and Indonesia and from northern to southern Africa
Habitat
Slow-moving rivers, lakes, swamps and ponds; at elevations from near sea level to 2,700 metres[
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.
]. Growing in water up to 60cm deep.
Properties
Weed Potential | Yes |
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Annual |
Height | 0.00 m |
Pollinators | Insects, Self |
Self-fertile | Yes |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Trapa natans has a very wide native range, being found in the temperate and tropical zones of Europe, Asia and Africa and at elevations up to 1,500 metres. 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[
]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 500 - 1,200mm, but tolerates 300 - 1,600mm[
].
A water plant, usually growing in water up to 60cm deep, but recorded to tolerate depths from 30 - 360cm[
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 requires a sunny position in slightly acidic water[
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.
]. Dislikes calcium rich water[
50- Title
- Flora Europaea
- Publication
-
- Author
- ?
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
]. Prefers a rich soil[
50- Title
- Flora Europaea
- Publication
-
- Author
- ?
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
,
56- Title
- Complete Guide to Water Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Muhlberg. H.
- Publisher
- E. P. Publishing Ltd.
- Year
- 1982
- ISBN
- 0-7158-0789-7
- Description
- Deals with a wide range of plants for temperate areas (and indoor aquaria) with quite a lot of information on cultivation techniques.
,
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.
]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 5 - 8.2[
].
In India, the fruit is broadcast in 30 - 69 cm deep nursery ponds and pressed into the mud, transplanted at the 4 - 5 leaf stage and replanted when 4 - 5 months old. Lateral pruning is carried out to accelerate flowering and fruiting[
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.
]. In China, the water chestnut is cultivated in running water[
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 known to fix nitrogen 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).
].
Trapa natans is a very variable species that is recognized as comprising 8 distinct varieties (see notes above on taxonomy). All the varieties will produce edible seeds as per the species, though we only have clear records for some of them. The varieties are:-
Trapa natans var. africana Brenan. Native to eastern tropical Africa, mainly in Lake Victoria.
Trapa natans var. bispinosa (Roxb.) Makino. One of the cultivated varieties, see separate record sheet for more info.
Trapa natans var. japonica Nakai. Found in the temperate climate of Japan and Korea.
Trapa natans var. magnicorona (Z.T.Xiong) B.Y.Ding & X.F.Jin. Found in the temperate climate of Russian Far East, eastern China, Japan and Korea.
Trapa natans var. natans. The base variety upon which this record sheet is based.
Trapa natans var. pseudincisa (Nakai) ined. Found in the temperate climate o Russian Far East, easern and central China, Japan and Korea,
Trapa natans var. quadricaudata (Glück) B.Y.Ding & X.F.Jin. Found mainly in subtropical climates from Russian Far East, Japan, eastern China and southeast Asia, with outliers in Africa.
Trapa natans var. quadrispinosa (Roxb.) Makino. Found mainly in the temperate zone s of the Himalayas, southeast China, Japan and the Russian Far East, also growing in Thailand. This variety is often cultivated in China.
There are some named varieties[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
,
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.
].
Edible Uses
Seed - raw, cooked or dried and ground into a powder[
2- Title
- Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hedrick. U. P.
- Publisher
- Dover Publications
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- 0-486-20459-6
- Description
- Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
3- Title
- Growing Unusual Fruit.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Simmons. A. E.
- Publisher
- David & Charles; Newton Abbot.
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- 0-7153-5531-7
- Description
- A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.
,
13- Title
- Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Triska. Dr.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
- 0-600-33545-3
- Description
- Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.
,
34- Title
- The Oxford Book of Food Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Good drawings of some of the more common food plants from around the world. Not much information though.
,
56- Title
- Complete Guide to Water Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Muhlberg. H.
- Publisher
- E. P. Publishing Ltd.
- Year
- 1982
- ISBN
- 0-7158-0789-7
- Description
- Deals with a wide range of plants for temperate areas (and indoor aquaria) with quite a lot of information on cultivation techniques.
,
63- Title
- Nuts.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Howes. F. N.
- Publisher
- Faber
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Rather old but still a masterpiece. Has sections on tropical and temperate plants with edible nuts plus a section on nut plants in Britain. Very readable.
,
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
100- Title
- Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Polunin. O.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1969
- ISBN
- 0192176218
- Description
- An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
]. A sweet floury and agreeable flavour[
27- Title
- The Vegetable Garden.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Vilmorin. A.
- Publisher
- Ten Speed Press
- Year
-
- ISBN
- 0-89815-041-8
- Description
- A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.
], similar to sweet chestnuts (Castanea spp)[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. The seed contains up to 50% starch according to one report[
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.
], 16% starch, 3% protein in another report[
117- Title
- The Book of Edible Nuts.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rosengarten. jnr. F.
- Publisher
- Walker & Co.
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0802707699
- Description
- A very readable and comprehensive guide. Well illustrated.
] and 15% protein, 7.5% fat in a third[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. (Are all these reports talking about the same thing?). One report says that the raw nut contains toxins that are destroyed by cooking the seed[
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[
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
-
]. It is also useful in the treatment of lumbago, sore throat, bronchitis, bilious affections, fatigue and inflammation[
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[
,
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 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
Seed - harvest in late summer and store overwinter in a jar of water in a cold but frost-free place. The seed can remain viable for up to 10 years in the soil at the bottom of ponds etc, though it quickly loses its vitality if it is allowed to become dry. Sow in spring, placing one seed in each pot and submerging them under a few centimetres of water.