Waterblom-metjie
Aponogeton junceus

Family: Aponogetonaceae

What it is like

A small plant that keeps growing from year to year. It has a tuberous rhizome. The tubers are 3 cm across. This produces a few grass-like leaves. These are 10-12 cm long. The flower is on a slender stalk with a pair of spikes at the end. These are 1-2 cm long. The flowers are small, crowded, without stalks and white.

There are about 12-44 Aponogeton species. They are tropical and subtropical.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in water in ponds and marshes. In Swaziland it grows in the lowveld.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root is eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Corms, leaves, flowers, tubers, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aponogeton rehmannii (sensu Rodin) Aponogeton natalensis Oliv.; Aponogeton spathaceus E. Mey. ex Hook. f. var. junceus (Lehm. ex Schltdl.) Hook. f.;