Water plantain – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.

Water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica)

The Water-plantain plant, also known as Mad-dog weed, has small, white flowers and heart-shaped leaves with pointed tips. It has a fibrous root and several long-stemmed leaves with a triangular shaped stem.  The leaves are clustered at the base of the plant.  The plant produces many small white or pale purple flowers with round or slightly jagged petals.  The flowers sit atop three green sepals and have six stamens per flower.

Where to Find: Look for this plant in freshwater and in wet, muddy, full sun areas in temperate and tropical zones

Edible Parts: The rootstocks are a good source of starch. Boil or soak them in water to remove the bitter taste.

Note: To avoid parasites, always cook aquatic plants.

Other Uses: Chinese have used the plant as a treatment for diarrhea, dizziness, painful urination, and back pain.