| Latin Name: | Trapa natans |
| Common Name: | Water chestnut |
| Family: | Trapaceae |
| Synonyms: | |
| Known Hazards: | The raw seed contains toxins but that these are destroyed in the cooking process[200, 206]. |
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Author: L.
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| Habit: Perennial |
| Habitat: Water up to 60cm deep. |
| Height: Width: 0.25 |
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].
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Propagation Notes:
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 in pots submerged under a few centimeters of water.
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