Wapato (Sagittaria cuneata)

Family: Alismataceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Sagittaria cuneata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet-tasting. — Root - raw or cooked.; Slightly bitter raw, the roasted tubers are sweet-tasting.; Those tubers found at the end of the rootstock are the best.; When broken off from the roots the tubers rise to the water surface and are then easily gathered.

Habitat & North American Range

Calcareous or muddy shores and shallow waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, pastures, and ditches, occasional in tidal waters, or in deep flowing water with slow current; 100 - 2500 metres. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)