Water Hawthorn, Cape pondweed, Vleikos

Aponogeton distachyos

Physical Characteristics

Aponogeton distachyos is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

Distribution

S. Africa. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].

Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Root Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Tuber - roasted[17, 105]. Starchy[183]. Considered to be a great delicacy[2]. Flowering spike - pickled or used as a spinach or asparagus substitute[2, 17, 46, 166, 142, 177, 183]. The young shoots are used as an asparagus substitute[142, 177]. The flowers are used as a flavouring[56].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known