Arrowhead, Arrow-weed, Swamp potato
Sagittaria trifolia

Family: Alismataceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The roots are like a lily bulb. They are 2-3 cm wide and 5-7 cm long. The corms are pale brown and rounded. The leaves are 18-25 cm long and have a long leaf stalk 40-50 cm long. The flowers are in a long panicle. The flower are about 2 cm across. The male and female flowers are separate.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mud and grows near sea level. It grows in wetlands. In Sichuan. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Central Asia, China, Europe, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The roots are boiled and eaten. They have a bland, sweet taste. They need to be deep fried or boiled to remove the bitterness. The young leaf stalks are also used. The young leaves are used as a potherb.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Tubers, root, vegetable, flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arrowhead, Bea-bea, Chee gwu, Chee koo, Chinese arrowroot, Chinese potato, De si de luo, Eceng genjer, Flechiere, Gai jiu ding, Gauai-gauai, Kalopak, Keladi chabang, Khakhiat, Kuwai, Phak sob, Slok lumpaeng, Swamp potato, Taokiat, Threeleaf Arrowhead, Tikog, Ubi keladi, Watapo, Wo qi, Ya gan gai

Synonyms

Sagittaria chinensis Sims; Sagittaria doniana Sweet; Sagittaria edulis Schltdl.; Sagittaria hastata D. Don [Illegitimate]; Sagittaria japonica H. Vilm.; Sagittaria leucopetala (Miq.) Bergmans; Sagittaria macrophylla Bunge [Illegitimate]; Sagittaria obtusa Thunb. [Illegitimate]; Sagittaria sagittata Thunb.; Sagittaria sinensis Sims; Sagittaria hirund saginacea Blume; Sagitarria sagittifolia L. subsp. leucopetala (Miquel) Hartog; and others