“A tall, spindly, many-branched aquatic with small white (rarely pink) flowers in whorls. In this typical emergent aquatic, the lower part is often submerged, while the upper part is exposed. Leaves formed underwater are ribbon-like and soon rot; they are seldom seen on adult plants. The bulb-like base of several species of Alisma was dried and eaten by Native Americans.

“Members of the Water-Plantain Family grow in water, in swamps, on muddy banks, or occasionally in wet sand. Each plant has long-petioled leaves in a clump with a flowering stem rising among them. The flowers have 3 green sepals, 3 white or pink-tinged petals, 6 or more stamens, and several pistils. Stamens and pistils may be in separate flowers.” – Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, “With their whorl of oval leaves with thick, ridged stems, water plantains look like gigantic versions of the plantains that commonly appear unwanted in yards. Water plantains are water-edge plants that bear large, elaborately branching stalks of tiny, white, three-petaled flowers.”

The plant, which grows fron one to thee feet,  can be found from Minnesota to Massachusetts and from there, south to Florida and Texas in ponds, seeps, marshes and other slow-moving water in full sunlight. Its broad leaves float on the water’s surface but are also found submerged; are more like ribbon when they form under water. The leaves and peitoles are toxic raw, but are considered edible after boiling. (Do not eat them or use as medicine without consuling a doctor or herbalist first.)

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies says water plantains have been used as a diuretic, help with bladder infections, applied directly to wounds to control bleeding and as a food helps lower cholesterol. Note: causes skin  and/or digestive tract irritation in some people.

Eat healthy after you’re sure of a plant.

–Malcolm