Nuphar japonicum
Family: Nymphaeaceae
What it is like
Nuphar japonicum is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.
Height (m): 0
Where it is found
Ponds, lakes and shallow streams throughout Japan.
E. Asia - Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Root - cooked. Used as a famine food, when baked it tastes like sweet chestnuts. The root probably needs to be steeped in water before use in order to remove a bitter flavour. Seed. No more details are given but the seed is probably rich in starch and can be ground into a powder then used as a thickener in soups etc.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Digestive, women's complaints. Used before and after childbirth, it treats gynecopathy(menoxenia).
Birthing aid: Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
Digestive: Aids digestion.
Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position. It is best if grown in still water that is up to 75cm deep but it also tolerates slow moving water. Succeeds in light shade.
Propagating it: Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established.
Best place to grow: Pond;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Water