What is a water hawthorn?

Water hawthorn, also known as aponogeton distachyos and weed cape pond, is a water plant that is originally from South Africa, and cultivated as a decorative pond and aquarium in other parts of the world. In some cases, as in Australia, it has become naturalized in the wild. The plant is remarkable with its small white and purple flowers that have a fine vanilla aroma. Flowers and roots of tubers are edible. These petioles can grow up to 20 feet (6.096 meters) in length. The leaves float on the water and are dark green and often spotted brown. The flowers are small, with wax petals and black anthers. They are smelling, as already mentioned and rather attractive with their white and purple color. Hawthorn's water generally ceases flowering in the summer months.

These deciduous plants are promoted by tubing divisions and seeds. Seeds that are produced quite prolifically can be foundon the water surface. About three inches (7.62 cm) of water can be collected and planted. The water tuber can be planted about thumb (2.54 cm) of the soil at a depth of about 18 inches (45.72 cm). It is best to sow seeds and tubers in individual pots and once the plant develops sufficiently, transfer to a deeper depth.

Water hawthorn are plants of ponds that you can easily take care of. They can be planted in still ponds even in slowly moving streams. These aquatic plants require that the full sun throws, but can also grow well in partial shadow. The plant grows rapidly and can spread at least three feet (0.91 meters) across. It is often set in the constructions with water lilies. In natural state, a water hawthorn grows in the rainy season and the tubers remain sleeping in the dry months, when the pond dries or in the cold months when the pond freezes.

In South Africa, the roots of water, young shoots and flowers are considered quite a delicacy. The roots of tubers are baked and consumed. Flowers are loadingor are used to flavor waterblommetjie meat and salads. Young shoots can be cooked like vegetables.