Water-ribbon, Swamp arrowgrass, Creek lily
Cycnogeton procerum
Family: Juncaginaceae
What it is like
A plant which keeps growing from year to year. It grows to 1.5 m high and floats on the surface of the water. The stem is short and thick. It is round in cross section and solid. The roots end in tubers. These can be 12 mm wide and 4 cm long. The leaves are shaped like straps or ribbons. They can be 2-3.5 m long and 35 mm wide. The upper part of the leaves float. They flowers occur in dense heads at the ends of erect stalks. The flowers are white or green. Flower heads can be 30 cm long. The plant forms tubers in the mud. If the water is flowing the tubers are smaller and more fibrous. These can be 1-5 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide.
One sample had 230 mg of Vitamin C per 100 g. There are about 15 Triglochin species. They grow in marshes in temperate regions.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in temperate to tropical regions. It grows in ponds and in water gardens. It can grow in still water which is either fresh or salt. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost but cannot tolerate drying out. It grows in wetlands and swamps rather than simply floating in water. It can grow in water up to 2 m deep but can also grow in muddy banks. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Tasmania
How it is used for food
The tubers are steamed and eaten. They can also be eaten raw. The very young seeds can also be eaten.
The variety of this plant that grows in Papua New Guinea is smaller than the more common one from Australia.
Edible parts
Root, tuber, fruit, seeds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the clump. Seed germinate easily in shallow water.
A plant can produce 5-200 pale crips tubers.
Its other names
Local names
Ankukbam, Birrkarn, Ngareli, Pol-an-go
Synonyms
Cycnogeton huegellii Endl.; Triglochin linearis Endl.; Cycnogeton linearis (Endl.) Sonder; Cycnogeton procera (R.Br.) Sonder; Triglochin procera R. Br.;