Alisma plantago-aquatica

Water Plantain, Devil’s Spoons, Mad Dog Weed

Alismataceae Edible: Leaves, Roots, Rhizome, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 18,704 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Alisma plantago-aquatica, also known as European water-plantain, common water-plantain or mad-dog weed, is a perennial flowering aquatic plant widespread across most of Europe and Asia, and apparently spread elsewhere in both the Old and New World.

Description

A perennial plant. It emerges from water. It forms tussocks or clumps. It grows up to 90-150 cm high and 45 cm across. Leaves form from the base. The leaf blades are 10-25 cm long and 7-10 cm wide. There are 7 veins which run along the leaf. The leaf stalk is 80 cm long. They are flattened on one side and have wings near the base. The flowers are in an open panicle. This is 60 cm long by 40 cm wide. The flowers are 1 cm across. The petals are pale pink. The fruit is one seeded. It is 2-2.5 mm long.

Edible Uses

The root is edible cooked and is rich in starch, but caution is required — it is acrid if not thoroughly dried or well cooked before eating. Leaves and petioles can also be eaten but must be thoroughly cooked, requiring long boiling; they have a salty flavour.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: Fresh leaves are poisonous but this is removed by cooking or drying. The root is eaten after drying then cooking. The leaves and petioles are eaten after thorough cooking. The seeds are used for cereal and starchy preparations.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, diaphoretic, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, and hypotensive. They are used to treat cystitis, dysentery, renal calculus, and gravel. The fresh leaf is rubefacient, applied locally to bruises and swellings, and is used in the treatment of leprosy. Dried stem bases, eaten or grated and taken with water, treat digestive disorders including heartburn, cramps, and stomach flu. The powdered seed is astringent and used to treat bleeding; it is also said to promote sterility. The root contains an essential oil and is antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, diuretic, and hypotensive. It is said to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and has antibacterial action against Staphylococcus, Pneumococci, and Mycobacterium. The root is used to treat oliguria, oedema, nephritis, acute diarrhoea, cholesterolaemia, and fatty liver. It has historically been considered a cure for rabies, though this has not been substantiated. The whole plant is believed to promote conception. The root is harvested before flowering and dried for later use. A homeopathic remedy is also prepared from the fresh root.

Known Hazards

The rootstocks contain starch and can be boiled or soaked to remove bitterness before eating. Aquatic plants in general should be cooked before consumption to kill parasites. According to Flora of the U.S.S.R. (1934), "A powder prepared from dried roots is used in popular medicine as a cure for rabies and crushed leaves are used against mammary congestion; fresh leaves are employed in homeopathy. ... Since this species is often confounded or identified with others of the genus, the reported data may also refer to [A. orientale or A. lanceolatum]." A. plantago-aquatica is also known as mad-dog weed, as if it could be used to cure rabies, but should not be confused with Scutellaria lateriflora (mad-dog skullcap), which is also sometimes called mad-dog weed. Alisma orientale is sometimes treated as a variety of this species (A. plantago-aquatica var. orientale). The rhizomes of A. orientale have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine, ze xie. However, it may have serious side effects or even toxic effects such as hepatotoxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in Northern temperate regions. It grows naturally in Britain in ditches, damp ground and shallow pond margins in water up to 15 cm deep. It grows in boggy conditions. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Botswana, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, China, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Uganda, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the plant. Fresh seed should be used and pots should be kept in water to keep the soil wet.

Propagation

Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stand the pot in approximately 3 cm of water to keep the soil consistently wet. Pot up seedlings once large enough to handle and overwinter in the cold frame, planting out in late spring. Division in spring or autumn is fairly easy and divisions can be planted directly into their permanent positions.

Other Uses

None known.

Other Information

It is a famine food. It is sold in local markets.

Notes

There are 10 Alisma species.

Synonyms

Alisma parviflorum (Pursh.)Alisma subcordatum (Raf.)Alisma triviale (Pursh.)

Also Known As

Ishing yempat, Kaothum, Trpotčasti porečnik

References (32)

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