Water Ribbons

Triglochin


COMMON NAME

Water Ribbons, Swamp arrowgrass, creek lily.

TRADITIONAL USE

Aborigines would roast the bland starchy tubers, pound them into a paste and feed to teething babies and the elderly. The raw or roaster tubers were also eaten by adults, and were probably an important staple food throughout much of Australia (Low, 1991).

PART USED

Tubers.

SEASONALITY

All year round.

FLAVOUR PROFILE

Tubers vary from bland (Low, 1991), to crisp and sweet (Zola & Gott, 1992:12).

The small green fruits which develop on the spike are worth eating … and have a pleasant taste of fresh peas.’ (Cribb & Cribb, 1987:176)

USES

Tubers: Steam, roast or eat raw.

Berries: eat raw.