A
FAMOUS EDIBLE PLANT
MARGARET ROBERTS writes about the waterblommetjie in her popular
book, 'Edible and Medicinal Flowers'
THE
waterblommetjie, or Cape pond weed, is part of a small genus of
monocotyledonous water plants and is one of South Africa's most
famous edible plants.
Its spectacular free-flowering, forked inflorescences in late
winter through to midsummer look like masses of white blossoms
scattered over the surface of the water, keeping bees and dragonflies
busy.
The entire plant is high in vitamins and minerals, and the early
Cape settlers were taught by the indigenous Khoikhoi to use the
plant both medicinally and as a nutritious food. Thanks to enterprising
Boland farmers, fresh waterblommetjies are now available not only
to other provinces, but all over the world.
Because they are so tough and adaptable, they are hardy enough
to grow in the warmer parts of Europe and the British Isles, where
they are fast becoming a popular pond plant.
MEDICINAL USES
Medicinally the San, or Bushmen, used the high juice content of
the stems to treat burns, sunburn and rashes. Children growing
up in the Cape, near dams filled with waterblommetjies, used crushed
stems and squeezed the juice onto minor cuts, grazes, insect stings,
mosquito bites and itchy areas. Leaves were used as a poultice,
first warmed and washed in hot water and then held in place with
a crêpe bandage on sprains or strains, bruised or inflamed areas
and rheumatic joints. For burns and sunburn, a soothing gel can
be made by crushing and mashing the stems and leaves to a pulp,
and spreading it over the area to form a protective covering.
This should be left on for as long as possible, and repeated frequently
until the pain and redness subside. For grazes, sores and infected
bites, the same method can be used. For pimples and acne, crush
the flower petals and apply to the spot with a little stem juice
and let it dry on the area. Repeat whenever necessary.
CULTIVATION
The tuberous rootstock settles easily into mud or a large compost-filled
tub. The slender, oval leaves are about two centimetres long and
are often mottled with dark speckles, and between them emerges
the long flowering stalk with its forked cluster of succulent
scales and white petals. Propagation is by division of the root
stock. Slice off a piece that has an eye on it and press it firmly
into rich compost mixed with a little sand in a large plastic
tub, about 40 cm deep. Soak it well and when it has stood for
an hour or two to settle, lower it slowly and gently into the
pond, deep enough to cover it with about 30 cm of water. It is
surprisingly tolerant, but it does need full sun and still water.
There it can remain for two to three years, after which it needs
to be lifted, the old soil and compost replaced and the waterblommetjie
plants divided again.
Recipes
for Traditional Cape Water-blommetjie Bredie, Waterblommetjie
Soup and Waterblommetjie Stir Fry appear in "Edible and Medicinal
Flowers", which is published and distributed by Random House Struik.
