Lace Plant, Waterlily, Australian laceplant
Aponogeton elongatus
Family: Aponogetonaceae
What it is like
A small plant which grows in water. The leaves are 10-50 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are narrow, dark green and crinkled. Leaves are in clusters at the tip of the corm. They are often under the water but are sometimes floating. The floating leaves are smaller. The flowers are on a thin stem 1.5 m long. The flowers are small. They have a scent. The fruit is a follicle 2.5-6 cm long and 2-5 cm wide. There are 2-5 seeds.
The Aponogetonaceae are plants which grow in fresh water. They have rhizomes or corms. There are about 12-44 Aponogeton species. They are tropical and subtropical.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in fresh water. It can grow in still or flowing water. It can grow in shallow or deep pools. The water temperature needs to be above 15 °C. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 50 m altitude. It does best in ponds that dry out.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The corms or tubers are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Tuber, corm, root
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from tubers when it is near the surface of the mud. They can also be grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Anbidjoh, Ankodjbang, Yangun