Catabrosa aquatica
Water WhirlGrass
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
Seed[2]. No more information is given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to use. It would probably have been used as piñole or have been ground into a powder and used as a mush, as a thickener in soups and stews, or in making cakes, bread etc[K].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
A decoction of the plant has been used as a stimulant and tonic[2].
Material uses
The plant has been burnt as an incense[2].
Environment
- Range
- Most of Europe, including Britain but absent in Spain and Portugal, N. and W. Asia, Algeria.
- Habitat
- Shallow streams and ditches, at the muddy margins of ponds and in wet sandy places near the sea all over Britain[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- aquatic
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - surface sow in the spring in a pot standing in shallow water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in the spring. The divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions.
Cultivation
We have no information on this, though judging by the plants native habitat it requires a wet soil and also succeeds in shallow water. It will also probably require a fairly sunny position[K].
References
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9