Aponogeton distachyos aka Cape Pond Lily

Aponogeton distachyos is an aquatic perennial from South Africa. Its native range lies in the southwestern Cape. It belongs to the Aponogetonaceae family. Common names include Cape pondweed and water hawthorn. It grows along pond edges, rooted in shallow water. In its home range, some ponds dry during summer. The plant rests through this hot, dry spell.

Tubers anchor the plant in mud below the water. Its leaves float flat across the pond surface. They are oval to lance-shaped, with an elongated outline. Leaves reach about 0.25–0.5 feet (0.08–0.15 m) long. The plant may lose its leaves or retain some. Sources differ on its height and spread. RHS gives a height near 0.33 feet (0.1 m). Missouri Botanical Garden lists 4 feet (1.22 m). Useful Tropical Plants reports growth 2 feet (0.6 m) above water. Garden spread is about 2.5–3.3 feet (0.76–1 m). Larger clumps can reach 4 feet (1.2 m) or more.

Small white flowers stand just above the floating leaves. Forked stems carry them above the water surface. Their sweet scent recalls hawthorn flowers. Bloom season changes with climate and water temperature. In warm-winter areas, flowers appear from fall through spring. Summer heat can send the plant into dormancy. In colder areas, bloom comes in summer and early fall. Missouri Botanical Garden lists July to September for flowering.

Grow it in sun or partial shade in still water. Sources suggest depths of about 0.5–2 feet (0.15–0.6 m). Tubers can grow in pond mud or submerged pots. Rich loam suits it, though RHS also lists clay and sand. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Cool water at 70°F or below supports good growth. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 6–10; RHS rates it H4. Cold-area plants may die back or need indoor shelter. Seeds offer a means of propagation, while tubers can resist division.

The plant suits small ponds, water gardens, and greenhouses. Its floating leaves and scented flowers provide the main display. RHS warns that it can spread fast and become troublesome. Water snails may damage it, but serious disease problems are uncommon. People roast the starchy tubers and eat the young shoots. They also pickle or cook the flowering spikes. Flowers serve as a food flavouring. South African growers raise it for local food markets. The food sources report no known hazards or medicinal uses.