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Useful Tropical Plants

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.
].

+ Synonyms

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

Trapa natans
Leaves
Photograph by: Kurt Stüber
Creative Commons License
Trapa natans Trapa natans Trapa natans Trapa natans Trapa natans Trapa natans

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[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
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 PotentialYes
Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Edibility Rating *  *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitAnnual
Height0.00 m
PollinatorsInsects, Self
Self-fertileYes
Cultivation StatusCultivated, 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[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. 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[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 500 - 1,200mm, but tolerates 300 - 1,600mm[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
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[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
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[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where 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 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.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-13. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Trapa+natans>

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