Alisma canaliculatum

Family: Alismataceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows up to 80 cm high. It develops tubes 1-3 cm across. The leaves have stalks 9-30 cm long. They are sword shaped and 6-45 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. The flowering groups are 35-65 cm long with 3-6 rings of 3-8 branches of flowers. They are white.

There are 10 Alisma species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on the edges of lakes and streams. It grows naturally in wet places all over Japan. It suits wet ground and water up to 25 cm deep.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan

How it is used for food

CAUTION; This plant probably contains poisons which are destroyed on cooking or drying. The young leaves are reported cooked and used in soups.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the plant. Fresh seed should be used and pots should be kept in water to keep the soil wet.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alisma plantago angustifolium (non Kunth.); Alisma plantago canaliculatum;