Nuphar japonica (Nuphar japonicum)

Family: Nymphaeaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Nuphar japonicum is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

tastes like sweet chestnuts. — Used as a famine food, when baked it tastes like sweet chestnuts.; The root probably needs to be steeped in water before use in order to remove a bitter flavour.; No more details are given but the seed is probably rich in starch and can be ground into a powder then used as a thickener in soups etc.

Habitat & North American Range

Ponds, lakes and shallow streams throughout Japan. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)