Water Plantain, Devil’s Spoons, Mad Dog Weed
Alisma plantago-aquatica

Family: Alismataceae

What it is like

A perennial plant. It emerges from water. It forms tussocks or clumps. It grows up to 90-150 cm high and 45 cm across. Leaves form from the base. The leaf blades are 10-25 cm long and 7-10 cm wide. There are 7 veins which run along the leaf. The leaf stalk is 80 cm long. They are flattened on one side and have wings near the base. The flowers are in an open panicle. This is 60 cm long by 40 cm wide. The flowers are 1 cm across. The petals are pale pink. The fruit is one seeded. It is 2-2.5 mm long.

There are 10 Alisma species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in Northern temperate regions. It grows naturally in Britain in ditches, damp ground and shallow pond margins in water up to 15 cm deep. It grows in boggy conditions. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Botswana, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, China, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Uganda, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Fresh leaves are poisonous but this is removed by cooking or drying. The root is eaten after drying then cooking. The leaves and petioles are eaten after thorough cooking. The seeds are used for cereal and starchy preparations.

It is a famine food. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots, rhizome, seeds

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

Ishing yempat, Kaothum, Trpotčasti porečnik

Synonyms

Alisma parviflorum (Pursh.); Alisma subcordatum (Raf.); Alisma triviale (Pursh.);