Sagittaria sagittifolia

Arrowhead, Japanese Arrowhead, Chinese Arrowhead

Alismataceae Edible: Leaves, Corms, Root, Tubers, Leaf stalks, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 40,231 iNaturalist observations

food

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Sagittaria sagittifolia (also called arrowhead because of the shape of its leaves) is an Old World flowering plant in the family Alismataceae.

Description

This perennial herb has arrow shaped leaves. It grows 50-80 cm high. Leaves are arrowhead-shaped and 5-20 cm wide. They are raised above the water level. The flowers are in rings around the stem and are white with a yellow centre. The flower stalk is long. The plant produces edible tubers. These underground corms are spherical, yellowish or brownish, with membranous scales on two or three rings. There are usually 4-6 tubers on each plant. They are 5 cm across.

Edible Uses

The tubers are starchy with a distinct flavour and should not be eaten raw. Roasted, they are excellent — tasting somewhat like potatoes. The bitter skin is best removed after cooking. Tubers can also be dried and ground into a powder for use as a gruel or added to cereal flours for breadmaking. They grow at the ends of slender roots, often 30cm deep and some distance from the parent plant; wild tubers reach about 15cm in diameter and are best harvested in late summer as the leaves die back. Per 100g dried root: 364 calories, 17g protein, 1g fat, 76.2g carbohydrate, 3.1g fibre, 5.8g ash, 44mg calcium, 561mg phosphorus, 8.8mg iron, 2,480mg potassium, 0.54mg thiamine, 0.14mg riboflavin, 4.76mg niacin, 17mg ascorbic acid; no carotene. Young leaves and stems can also be cooked, though they are somewhat acrid.

Traditional Uses

The tubers or corms are cooked and eaten. The starch is used in dishes and for bread. The tender shoots near the root and stem is boiled well then eaten with oil and salt.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is antiscorbutic and diuretic. The leaf is used to treat a variety of skin problems. The tuber is discutient and galactofuge, and may induce premature birth.

Known Hazards

Tubers should not be eaten raw. Tubers may induce premature birth.

Distribution

It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It occurs in swamps and muddy places, growing in ponds and rice-fields. It grows in wetlands. It suits hardiness zones 7-12. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Europe*, French Polynesia, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Marquesas, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Russia, SE Asia, Tahiti, USA, Vietnam, West Indies,

Cultivation

A pond or bog garden plant, it requires a moist or wet loamy soil in a sunny position. Prefers shallow, still or slowly flowing water up to 30 - 60cm deep. Plants are fairly cold tolerant, surviving temperatures down to at least -10°c, though the top growth is damaged once temperatures fall below zero. They grow best in warm weather and require at least a six month growing season in order to produce a crop. A polymorphic species, the sub-species S. sagittifolia leucopetala is extensively cultivated for its edible bulb in China where there are many named varieties.

Propagation

Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in about 5cm of water. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, gradually increasing the water depth as plants grow until it reaches about 5cm above the top of the pot. Plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Tubers can be divided in spring or autumn — a straightforward process. Runners can be potted up at any point during the growing season.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Production

Corms mature in 6-7 months. Each corm weighs about 14-28 g. The starchy corms are peeled, sliced and cooked in stews or fried.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is cultivated for its tuberous roots eaten as a vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Corms	70.6	447	107	5	—	1.1	2.6	0.3
Leaves	91.6	67	16	2.4	—	13	—	—

Synonyms

Sagittaria trifolia L. var. sinensis Makino

Also Known As

Alacs, Bab henru, Beea beea, Chhoto-kut, Chotokut, Chi Gu, Cigu, Elecs, Etjeng, Huring dumdum, Kere gende, King aunt, Koukha, Kuwai, Lili air, Lochkor, Muya, Muya muya, Ok-kha, Pijlkruid, Sigan godai, Sipatka strelolista, Swamp potato, Swan potato, Thaso laojeng, Tsee goo, Vodena strijela

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