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Trapa bicornis - Osbeck.

Common Name Ling, Horn nut
Family Trapaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The raw seed contains toxins but that these are destroyed in the cooking process[200, 206].
Habitats Not known
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Water Plants Full sun
Trapa bicornis Ling, Horn nut


Trapa bicornis Ling, Horn nut
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fred_Hsu

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Trapa bicornis is a PERENNIAL.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. bicornuta.

Habitats

 Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked. A crunchy texture with a bland flavour[206]. Rich in starch, the raw seed contains a deleterious principle that is destroyed by cooking[200]. The cooked seed can be dried and ground into a powder[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antipyretic  Astringent  Cancer  Tonic

The flowers are astringent in fluxes[218]. The fruit is used in the treatment of fever and sunstroke[218]. The plant is anticancer, antipyretic and tonic[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An aquatic plant, floating by means of inflated petioles, it succeeds in still or slowly-flowing water requiring a position in full sun and a slightly acidic water with a rich planting medium[200]. Plants require a high summer temperature in order to perform well, they are not frost hardy[206]. Some botanists regard this species as no more than a part of the one highly polymorphic species T. natans[200]. This species was used for food in Neolithic Britain[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - harvest in late summer and store overwinter in a jar of water in a cold but frost-free place. The seed quickly loses its vitality if it is allowed to become dry. Sow in spring, placing one seed in each pot and submerging them under a few centimetres of water.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Centaurea calcitrapaCommon Star Thistle, Red star-thistleBiennial0.6 0-0  LMHNDM11 
Tetrapanax papyriferRice Paper Plant, Chinese Rice Paper PlantShrub5.0 8-11 FLMHSNM112
Trapa incisa Annual0.0 -  LMHNWa10 
Trapa japonica Annual0.0 -  LMHNWa10 
Trapa natansWater ChestnutPerennial0.0 6-12  LMHNWa422

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Osbeck.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

kent   Fri Dec 30 2005

if ever you want any, contact me. I live in Borneo [email protected]

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Subject : Trapa bicornis  
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