Travel south to Kaohsiung and Tainan to explore Taiwan’s fascinating aquatic plants: the white water snowflake and the water caltrop. Learn more about these unique plants in this episode of "Botanical Wonders." Trevor and Jason jump into the world of Taiwan’s aquatic flora, focusing on the white water snowflake and water caltrop. The white water snowflake, a popular vegetable in Taiwanese markets today, was nearly extinct just 50 years ago. Discover how this water-based plant was brought back from near extinction by farmers to become the popular crop it is today. Learn all about this dinnertime staple as Trevor and Jason explore the unique characteristics of this plant. The water caltrop is another fascinating plant the hosts explore. Beyond being a food source, it plays an essential role in Taiwan’s ecosystem by supporting the conservation of the native pheasant-tailed jacana. While the bird doesn’t eat the plant, it uses the water caltrop field for nesting. The birds also act as pest control, living in perfect harmony with their surroundings. Trevor and Jason also learn about the farming process of water caltrops, including how to identify and harvest ripe ones. They even get a chance to taste the caltrops both raw and cooked. Join us on this captivating journey through Taiwan’s aquatic plants in this episode of "Botanical Wonders." “Botanical Wonders” is an exploration of the unique flora of Taiwan. Join our hosts, plant biologist Trevor Padgett and chef and amateur plant enthusiast Jason Wang, as they explore the unique plants Taiwan has to offer. Each episode focuses on a specific plant species native to Taiwan, exploring its habitats and uses.