trefle.io · Taken Apr 30, 2020 by Luluk Williams (cc-by-sa)
Lythraceae
Water-chestnut
Trapa natans
Also known as Chinese water chestnut, Eleocharis dulcis, Matai
Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Aquatic · Water Plant · Edible Nut · Pond Plant · Invasive · Floating Plant · Trapa · Lythraceae · Water Garden · Food Plant
Water-chestnut is an aquatic annual that must be grown in still or slow-moving water, receiving at least 6 hours of full sun daily. It spreads rapidly and requires regular management to prevent it from overtaking ponds or waterways. While its edible nuts are a culinary staple in Asia, be aware it is considered invasive in some North American water systems.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Requires permanent standing water; grow in at least 1-4 feet of still or slow-moving water · Continuously submerged
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–7
- Temperature
- -20°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-10b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 36 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Altay, Amur, Angola, Assam, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina, Buryatiya, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Repu, Central European Rus, Chad
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle
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