water caltrop
water caltrop Lexical Profile
• noun
A floating aquatic plant of the genus Trapa, native to Eurasia and Africa, characterized by rosettes of floating leaves and submerged stems.
"The lake's surface was heavily colonized by water caltrop, a plant that can become an invasive species in non-native waterways."
The edible, starch-rich seed of this plant, encased in a hard, distinctively shaped shell bearing two to four sharp, horn-like spines.
"After boiling to neutralize toxins, the tough shell of the water caltrop is cracked open to reveal a sweet, mealy nut reminiscent of a chestnut."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with the Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis); while both are aquatic, the water caltrop yields a starchy nut in a spiky shell, whereas the Chinese water chestnut produces a crisp, tuber-like corm.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from its aquatic habitat ('water') and the striking physical resemblance of its sharply spined seed pods to a 'caltrop', an ancient multi-pointed iron weapon designed to puncture the hooves of cavalry horses.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.