Floating lace plant
Aponogeton natans

Family: Aponogetonaceae

What it is like

A plant that keeps growing from year to year. It grows in streams, ponds and rice fields. The rhizome or underground stem is fleshy and like a tuber. It is 2 cm across. It is covered by the remains of the leaf stalks. The leaves have long leaf stalks and they can float or be under the water. The leaf blade is 5-11 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are almost heart shaped at the base. The flowers are small and in spikes 4-6 cm long. The flowers are pink.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Madras. It grows in tanks and pools of water. It grows in wetlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, India, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The tubers (bulbils) are boiled or fried before eating.

It has limited local use. They are a prized vegetable.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, bulbil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ghechu, Jechu, Khechu, Kopi dumpa, Kotee kalungu, Kottikkizhangu, Nama, Water block-up

Synonyms

Aponogeton flavidum Ham. ex Hook.f.; Aponogeton lineare Vahl; Aponogeton lucens Hook.f.; Aponogeton monostachyon L.f.; and others