#CapeHawthorn aka #WaterHawthorn.
It's native to #SouthAfrica. People there have long cultivated & harvested the buds & flowers as food. It's used to make #WaterblommetjieBredie - a traditional South African stew. The #Afrikaans name of this traditional cultural dish translates to "stew of little water flowers".

Recipe:
https://paarman.co.za/blogs/all-recipes/waterblommetjie-bredie

It's not a widely known edible water plant here. It's delicious. If you enjoy green beans - you'll probably enjoy eating Cape hawthorn buds/flowers too.

#Spring #perennials #Cultivated #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #EdiblePlants #flowers #botanical #plants #WaterGarden #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #PollinatorAttractors #FlowersIdentification #WaterPlants #CulturalCrops #GlobalSouth #PlantsYouCanEat #LookAndLearn #CulturalFood

First proper picture I've been able to get of the new water hawthorn (Aponogeton), aka Cape pondweed. Highly scented and can flower until November. It can be almost evergreen in a mild winter.

#gardening #bloomscrolling #plants #waterplants #ponds #waterhawthorn #capepondweed