Water caltrop.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Aquatic annual

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 0 jours

Taille adulte

2 to 3 feet wide

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 6 à 10

Floraison

Mid to late summer

Entretien

Keep this plant in a sunny, calm body of water with plenty of nutrient rich mud at the base. Watch for rapid spread, as it can quickly overtake small water features if left unchecked. Ensure the water remains still, as moving water can hinder its growth.

Arrosage

This is an aquatic plant that must remain submerged in water at all times.

Engrais

Use aquatic plant fertilizer tablets pressed into the mud near the roots during the growing season.

Taille

Remove excess rosettes regularly to prevent the plant from covering the entire surface of your pond.

Rempotage

Fresh seeds or young plants should be placed in new mud at the start of each spring season.

Sol

Rich organic mud

pH du sol

6.0 to 8.0

Température

10 à 30°C

Humidité

70 à 100%

Sécurité

Humains

Raw seeds contain tannins and potential toxins that require careful preparation.

Enfants

Keep children away from the water where this grows, as the sharp, spiny fruits are a significant puncture hazard.

Allergènes de contact

The sharp spines on the fruit can cause painful physical injury and skin irritation.

Allergènes aéroportés

There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.

Comestibilité

The seeds must be thoroughly cooked before consumption to neutralize potential toxins.

Comment l'identifier

• Floating rosettes of diamond shaped leaves
• Serrated leaf margins
• Inflated spongy leaf stalks
• Four pronged woody nut fruits
• Small white four petaled flowers

Hauteur

0m

Envergure

0,6 à 1,5m

Feuilles

green, bronze, deciduous

Fleurs

white, 1 à 2cm

Fruits

black, brown, Autumn

Problèmes courants

• Invasive spread — The plant can rapidly choke out native aquatic vegetation and block waterways.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

Spring

This plant is highly competitive and usually dominates its space, so it is best kept in isolated containers.

Bonnes associations

• Nymphaea — They share similar aquatic habitat requirements.

Espèces similaires

• Eleocharis dulcis — Often confused due to the common name, though they are entirely different plants.

Science

Famille

Lythraceae

Genre

Trapa

Ordre

Myrtales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Eurasia and Africa

Préservation

It is considered an invasive species in many regions outside its native range and should not be introduced to new water bodies.

It thrives in stagnant or slow moving freshwater, forming dense mats that shade out other aquatic life.

Intérêt pour la faune

provides cover for aquatic life

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, coléoptères

Utilisations

ornamental pond plant, culinary starch source

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Is it safe to grow in a garden pond?

It is generally discouraged due to its aggressive growth and the danger posed by its sharp, spiny fruits.

How do I control it?

Physical removal of the plants before they set seed is the most effective method.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Trapa is derived from the Latin word for a caltrop, a spiked military weapon that matches the fruit shape. The species name natans means floating.

Bon à savoir

• The seeds are often called water caltrops or devil pods.
• It is an annual plant that grows floating on the water surface.
• The seeds are rich in starch and have been used as a food source for centuries.