Eleocharis tuberosa Chinese water chestnut (Cyperaceae)

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Eleocharis tuberosa
Chinese water chestnut
(1 Page of 5)

The Eleocharis tuberosa plant species is found in E. Asia - China, Japan, to Australia. It is a member of the Cyperaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Chinese water chestnut. Some home gardeners know the variety as E. dulcis. Heliocharis tuberosa.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Eleocharis tuberosa
Common Name:  Chinese water chestnut
Family:  Cyperaceae
Author:  Schult.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Marshy land and shallow water[200]. The edges of seasonal swamps in Australia[193].

Cultivation Notes: A plant of marshes and shallow water, it prefers slightly acid soil conditions and a sunny position[200]. Requires a rich fertile soil[206]. Plants are not very frost hardy, the tubers should be harvested at the end of the growing season and stored in a cool damp but frost-free position until the spring[206]. The water chestnut is widely cultivated for its edible tubers in China, there are some named varieties[183, 200]. It requires a 7 month frost-free growing season in order to produce a crop[116, 117]. Plants perform best at temperatures between 30 - 35°c during the leafy stage of growth, and about 5°c lower when the tubers are being formed[206]. This species is unlikely to succeed outdoors in Britain, though by starting the plants off early in a greenhouse it might be possible to obtin reasonable yields in good summers[K].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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