The tubers of some species of arrowhead are quite edible. They can be collected in autumn when the leaves slowly dry out, or in early spring before the plant sprouts again. According to various reports, the tubers taste similar to potatoes.
Is arrowhead edible?
Arrowwort is edible, especially the tubers of some species such as Sagittaria sagittifolia, Sagittaria cuneata and Sagittaria graminea. The tubers taste similar to potatoes and can be eaten after boiling or roasting. The peel should be removed as it contains bitter substances.
Is arrowhead a useful plant?
In some Asian countries, arrowhead is even cultivated as a useful and edible plant. Mostly this is the species Sagittaria sagittifolia, but the species Sagittaria cuneata and Sagittaria graminea are also known as useful plants. After preparing the tubers, the peel should be removed because it contains many bitter substances.
The arrowhead tubers can also be dried very well and then ground into flour. This is suitable for baking or cooking porridge. To do this, it is often mixed with grain flour. If you can't get the right types of arrowweed or you would like to try the tubers before growing them in your own garden, then you can most likely find them in an Asian store (€26.00 on Amazon).
Where does arrowweed grow?
The arrowhead, like the related frog spoonwort, is a marsh and aquatic plant. Some species are native to tropical areas. They are suitable for planting in aquariums. Other species occur in temperate climates such as Central Europe. You can use these excellently as bank plants for your garden pond. These include, for example, the common arrowhead.
Depending on the species, arrowhead grows completely or partially underwater. The air leaves (growing above the water) are arrow-shaped, while the water leaves (growing under the water) are ribbon-shaped. The arrowhead also has egg-shaped floating leaves. The above-ground parts of the plant are withdrawn for the winter, so the plant hibernates at the bottom of the water. Propagation occurs by sowing or planting the tubers.
Eating tips for arrowroot:
- not every species is edible
- the peel contains bitter substances and should not be consumed
- The tubers of some species are edible
- Bulbs are very starchy
- Taste similar to potatoes
- Cook or roast the tubers and then peel them
- dried tubers suitable for grinding
- Flour can be used for baking or porridge
Tip
The edible tubers of some arrowhead species can be found in some Asian stores. So you can try before growing it to see if you like this speci alty.
