The Chinese water chestnut (bot. Eleocharis dulcis or Eleocharis tuberosa, Chinese 马蹄, 荸薺) is a grass-like plant grown for its edible corms (underground stems). The Chinese water chestnut has tube-shaped, leafless green stems that grow to about 1.5 metres high. It is cultivated in flooded fields similar to rice paddies. The small, rounded corms have a crispy white flesh and can be eaten raw, slightly boiled, grilled, pickled, or tinned. They are a popular ingredient in Chinese foods. The Chinese water chestnut is native to China and is widely cultivated in southern China and parts of the Philippines.
