Aponogeton distachyos

L.f.

Cape asparagus, Cape-pondweed

Aponogetonaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Corm, Fruit, Vegetable 1,609 iNaturalist observations

foodmedicinalornamental

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Summary

Aponogeton distachyos or Aponogeton distachyum, also known as waterblommetjie (lit. trans. water-floret), Cape-pondweed, water hawthorn, vleikos and Cape pond weed is an aquatic flowering plant.

Description

A herb which grows in water and keeps growing from year to year. It has starchy storage roots or corms. It grows 60-80 cm high and spreads 80-100 cm wide. The leaves at the base arise from these tubers. The leaf stalks can be 1 m long. The leaves are narrowly oval and floating. They are 15 cm long by 5 cm wide. The flowering stalk grows above the water. It is divided and white. Each fork is 10 cm long with 6-12 oval and white bract like bodies with small flowers near their base.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Root Shoots Stem Edible Uses: 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.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are used as a vegetable. They can be used for pickles. The young fruit can be used as a vegetable. The roasted corms/rhizomes are eaten. The leaves are cooked and eaten.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It suits Mediterranean climates. It is native to South Africa. It grows in still or flowing water up to about 50 cm deep. It can grow in water 2 m deep. It grows in cooler places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Europe, France, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Tasmania, Zambia,

Cultivation

A water plant, growing in water 15 - 60cm deep. it can also grow in wet soil but is then very restricted. It requires a rich soil. The tubers are not winter hardy. Another report says that the plants are hardy in the milder areas of Britain. They have withstood a fairly severe winter in Cornwall, when the ponds had thick ice 30cm or more deep, with very little damage. A very ornamental plant, the flowers have a hawthorn-like scent.

Propagation

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.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses Scented Plants

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is grown commercially in South Africa and also canned.

Notes

There are about 12-44 Aponogeton species. They are tropical and subtropical.

Synonyms

Aponogeton distachon

Also Known As

Cape pondlily, Waterblommetjie, Water-hawthorn, Water onion

References (38)

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