Water chestnut

Profile

Family

Lythraceae

Habit

Water plant

Height

0.1 m

Spread

0.3 m

Growth

fast

Lifespan

1 year

First yield

after 1 year

Hardiness

zone 6–12

Shade tolerance

light shade

Soil

Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

near water – in water

pH

6 – 7.5

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Samen – roh, gekocht oder getrocknet und zu Pulver gemahlen. Süßer, mehliger und angenehmer Geschmack, ähnlich dem von Esskastanien (Castanea spp.). Der Samen enthält laut einem Bericht bis zu 50 % Stärke, 16 % Stärke und 3 % Eiweiß und 15 % Eiweiß und 7,5 % Fett. (Behandeln all diese Berichte dasselbe?) Einem Bericht zufolge enthält die rohe Nuss Giftstoffe, die durch Kochen des Samens zerstört werden.

Medicinal: The fruits are used to produce liniments for treating elephantiasis, pestilential fevers, rheumatism, wounds, sunburn, and skin disorders. 418.

Other uses: Agroforestry Use: The water chestnut can be utilized in wetland restoration projects as a water-loving plant, contributing to habitat creation and water quality enhancement. Its seeds are sometimes used as beads in necklaces and rosaries. The plant can float freely in water or root in the mud of shallow waters. It can also grow in very wet, muddy soils outside of water. Additionally, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant in aquariums and outdoor ponds. 1. Nectar-Rich Flowers: Yes - Water chestnut flowers attract various pollinators, including bees, with their nectar. 2. Wildlife - Food Source (fruits, seeds, leaf litter), Shelter, Nesting, Roosting: Yes - The edible nuts (or fruits) of the water chestnut serve as a food source for wildlife and humans. The plant's structure provides some protection, although it does not offer direct nesting or roosting sites. 3. Shelter for Invertebrates (overwintering sites, leaf litter, ground cover): Yes - The water chestnut can offer shelter to invertebrates, especially in its dense foliage and the aquatic environment where it grows. 4. Pest Confusion (Odor): No - The water chestnut is not generally known for its pest-repelling properties or for confusing pests with its odor.

Growing

A water plant that grows in water up to 60 cm deep, requiring a sunny location in slightly acidic water. It does not tolerate calcium-rich water. Preferring nutrient-rich soil, this plant is hardy in all parts of the country except the coldest regions. While perennial, it is best cultivated as an annual in this country. Some botanists consider this species the only true member of its genus, with all other species seen as merely part of this highly polymorphic species. Occasionally grown for its edible seeds, there is at least one named variety. "Su Zhou" is a form with red fruits. The edible tubers are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn. Water chestnuts usually bloom in summer, growing rapidly and often forming dense mats in suitable aquatic environments.

Propagation

Sow seeds in late summer, overwinter in a glass of water in a cold but frost-free location. The seed quickly loses vitality if it dries out. Plant in spring by placing one seed in each pot and submerging it a few centimeters under water.

Origin & habitat

Central and Southern Europe, Eurasia, tropical and temperate Asia, Africa.

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