Euryale ferox - Foxnut

Family:	Euryalaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	3
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China to N. India.

Euryale ferox (Foxnut) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 3m . It has a hardness rating of 8.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Foxnut will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Foxnut prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Foxnut should not be planted in shady areas.

Ponds and lakes in lowland, C. and S. Japan[58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant

Cultivation Details

A water plant, it requires a rich soil, preferably growing in still water[238]. It can be grown in still or slowly flowing water[200]. In cultivation in temperate greenhouses, the plant is often grown as an annual[200]. It requires about 0.75 cubic metres of root run[200]. This species is not very cold hardy. One report says that it succeeds in zone 8[200] which would mean that it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c but this must be viewed with some doubt. It is unlikely to succeed outdoors in Britain, at least when grown as a perennial[K]. Frequently cultivated as an edible plant in China and India, the seeds are normally available in Chinatown markets in the West[183].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Fruit[2]. Soft and pulpy, it is about the size of a small orange[2]. It is highly esteemed in China as a cooling tonic food[183]. Seed - fresh or dried[183, 200]. The seed is about the size of a pea, each fruit containing from 8 to 15 seeds[2]. The seed is usually roasted and then eaten[218]. It is also used as a source of starch[183]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Very young stalks and rhizomes[2, 183]. Rich in starch[2].

• Fruit -
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The leaf is used in cases of difficult parturition[218]. All parts of the plant are considered to be astringent, deobstruent and tonic[218]. The seed is a sweet and sour astringent herb that acts as a tonic for the kidney and the spleen[238]. The seed is analgesic and aphrodisiac[218]. It is taken internally in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea, vaginal discharge, kidney weakness associated with frequent urination, impotence, premature and involuntary ejaculation and nocturnal emissions[238, 279].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Aphrodisiac - Increases the sexual appetite.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Deobstruent - Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.
• Oxytoxic - Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the seed has a short viability and must not be allowed to become dry. Sow the seed in pots in a greenhouse at about 21°c and immerse the pots in water. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.