Trapa natans - buffalo nut

Alisma plantago-aquatiqua, also known as Common Water-Plantain, is a perennial plant with a bulbous stump, in marshy areas, common on the edges of ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, and ditches. Flowering occurs in summer: white or pale pink on a highly branched floral stem. The heart-shaped leaves resemble those of the plantain in our meadows. This plant, with its certain decorative appeal, requires little maintenance. It is perfect for maintaining the banks of water points.

Common Water-Plantain is a perennial plant belonging to the Alismataceae family. It is a deciduous plant, with a rosette habit, easily reaching 60 cm (24 in) in height when flowering, 30 cm (12 in) for the foliage, and spreading over 40 cm (16 in). Throughout the summer, white to pale pink flowers, less than 12 mm (1 in) in diameter, appear. The flowers open in the afternoon, along a highly branched triangular floral stem that can reach up to 1 m (3 ft) in height. Each flower has 3 green sepals and 6 stamens. This plant has a fibrous root, and several leaves measuring 15 to 30 cm (12 in) long, bright green in colour, with long petioles.

Plant this water-plantain in heavy, muddy or humus-bearing, acidic or neutral soil, up to 20 cm (8 in) deep. They are mainly plants found on banks or marshy areas. They do not require any particular care. However, make sure to remove faded floral stems if you prefer to avoid spontaneous sowings.

The water-plantain is used as a filtering plant for phytoremediation. The very light floral stems are beautiful in dry bouquets, remaining decorative even in winter, adorned with their faded inflorescences. A cosmopolitan plant, it will naturally find its place on the edge of all water points.