Edible Plants of the World

Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut

Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical locations. It suits humid monsoonal conditions. It is found in the Philippines in open wet places and shallow water throughout the islands. It grows in fresh water swampy grounds or in shallow water. It grows in wetlands. It is also found in rice fields. It needs at least 220 frost free days. It needs a soil temperature above 14-15.5°C for germination of the corms. It needs a pH of 6.9-7.3. It can be grown up to 1,200 m altitude. It suits plant hardiness zones 9-12.

Also known as:

Ankurladj, Apulid, Biqi, Buslig, Chee-Chang, Chikai, Chinese Water Chestnut, Go nung, Ground-chestnut, Haeo cheen, Haeo-song krathiem, Inu kuro guwai, Kakthum, Kirlinja, Kokthum, Kurogu-wai, Kuwai, Li zi, M'pofa, Ma Ti, Ma-Tai, Macre, Mampufa, Mem plong khtim, Okuroguwai, Pani phul, Po-chi, Singhara, Tall spike-rush, Tike, Uchaga-lane, 'Utu'utu, Waterchestnut, Waternut, Wetmye-u, Ye thit eir thee

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Edible spike rush grow?

Found in: Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Japan-Ryukyu Islands, Korea, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa - Natal, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, United States, Vietnam, West Africa

Notes: There are about 160-200 Eleocharis species. There are 60 species in tropical America.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The corms are canned and exported. They are sold in local markets.

Growing Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut

Cultivation: Plants can be grown by division or tubers. They are put in holes 20-30 cm deep. Fields are flooded after planting then allowed to drain. When top growth is 20-30 cm high fields are flooded to at least 10-12.5 cm. A spacing of 75 cm x 75 cm is suitable. 500 kg of corms per hectare are required for planting.

Edible Uses: The tubers are cooked and eaten. The corms can be eaten raw, roasted or boiled after they have been peeled. Normally, they are cut into small slices and added to soup or to fish and meat dishes. They can be sweetened for desserts.

Production: Corms mature after 7-8 months. Yields of 20-40 t per ha are possible.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Corm 64 1.4 0.7 0 5 0.5 79.6
Corm drier 152 3.7 95 - 52 1.9 50.8

Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut Photos

Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut Edible spike rush, Chinese water-chestnut

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