Practical
Plants

Nuphar polysepala

Spatterdock

a perennial member of the Nuphar genus in the family Nymphaeaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Nuphar
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - raw or cooked[6][3]. Boiled or baked[6][14][15]. The root can also be dried and ground into a flour[14]. The rather strong taste can be removed by soaking the root in water prior to use[14]. The N. American Indians used the roots in times of famine[8]. Seed - raw or cooked[6][10][13][2][3]. The fairly large seed can be dried and ground into a powder and then be used for making porridge or mixed with other flours for making bread[15][4]. When roasted it resembles popcorn in flavour[8].

Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is analgesic and antihaemorrhagic[9]. A decoction is taken in the treatment of pain in any part of the body, and for lung haemorrhages, TB etc[9]. A poultice made from the root is used in the treatment of any pain, rheumatic joints, sores etc[9].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Poultice

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Alaska to California.
Habitat
Ponds, shallow lakes and slow-flowing rivers[12][5], from valleys to almost 3,000 metres in the mountains[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears[7]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[11].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position[1][11]. It is best grown in still water up to 75cm deep but it also tolerates slow moving water[7]. Succeeds in light shade[7]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

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  3. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

  4. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  11. Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-7158-0789-7

    ↩1↩2

  12. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

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  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  14. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2

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