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Summary
Trapa natans,
Water Chestnut is a floating aquatic plant that is native to Eurasia. The plant has long, narrow leaves resembling a water lily, and its small, round fruits have a hard shell containing an edible nut. Eat the nut raw, cooked, dried or ground into a powder. It has a sweet, floury, and agreeable flavour similar to sweet chestnuts (Castanea spp). Water Chestnut is considered an invasive species in many parts of the World, as it can quickly out-compete native plants and create monotypic stands. Water Chestnut requires a sunny position and water up to 60cm deep.
Harvesting: Edible tubers in late summer to early autumn.
Physical Characteristics
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Trapa natans is a PERENNIAL at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Pond;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:
Seed - raw, cooked or dried and ground into a powder[2, 3, 13, 34, 56, 63, 74, 100]. A sweet floury and agreeable flavour[27], similar to sweet chestnuts (Castanea spp)[183]. The seed contains up to 50% starch according to one report[46], 16% starch, 3% protein in another report[117] and 15% protein, 7.5% fat in a third[74]. (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].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic Febrifuge Skin
The fruits are used in the preparation of liniments to treat elephantiasis, pestilent fevers, rheumatism, sores, sunburn and skin complaints[418
].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Beads
Agroforestry uses: Water Chestnut can be used as a water-loving plant in wetland restoration projects, contributing to habitat creation and water quality improvement. The seeds are sometimes used as beads in necklaces and rosaries[46
, 324
]. 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
]. The plant is also grown as an ornamental in aquaria and outdoor ponds. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Water chestnut flowers are known to attract various pollinators, including bees, due to their nectar.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – The edible nuts (or fruits) of the water chestnut plant are a food source for both wildlife and humans. The plant’s structure can provide some shelter, although it does not provide nesting or roosting sites directly.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – Water chestnut can provide shelter for invertebrates, particularly within its dense foliage and the aquatic environment where it grows.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Water chestnut is not typically recognized for pest-repelling properties or for its smell being used to confuse pests.
Special Uses
Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A water plant, growing in water up to 60cm deep. Requires a sunny position in slightly acidic water[200]. Dislikes calcium rich water[50]. Prefers a rich soil[50, 56, 200]. Plants are hardy in all but the coldest parts of Britain[1]. A perennial, but it is best grown as an annual in Britain[3]. Some botanists regard this species as the only genuine member of the genus, all other species considered to be no more than a part of this one highly polymorphic species[200]. Occasionally cultivated for its edible seed, there is at least one named variety[1, 3, 13]. 'Su Zhou' is a form with red-coloured fruit[183]. The edible tubers are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn.
Water Chestnut usually flowers in summer. Water Chestnut grows quickly, often forming dense mats in suitable aquatic environments.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - harvest in late summer and store overwinter in a jar of water in a cold but frost-free place. The seed 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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Dyavolski oreh, European water chestnut, Heikak, Horn nut, Ling-chio, Rasac, Saligot, Shinghada, bat nut, buffalo nut, charcoal tree|diya ikili / ikiliya, devil pod, gara, gaunaree, horn nut, jalaphala, jalaphalam, jalfal, karimpola, karimpolam, kubyakam, paniphal, paniphala, shingoda, simgara, simgoda, singada, singade, singhada, singhade, singhara, singoda, srngataka, triko?aphala, vankotta, water caltrop, water chestnut, sr?gata, s??ga?aka (dried seed).
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Anhui Sheng, China, Fujian Sheng, Georgia, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Japan, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng,Turkey (northwest). TROPICAL ASIA: India, Pakistan, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France, AFRICA: Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, .
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
50200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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