Water Hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos), sometimes known as Cape pondweed, is a semi-aquatic, ornamental plant noted for its floating, oblong leaves and distinctive white flowers that float delicately on the water's surface. The blooms feature two forked petals with dark speckled centers and emit a pleasant, sweet fragrance. Although classified as an aquatic flowering plant and not a true grass, it is often grouped with ornamental grasses due to its complementary visual qualities in pond and water garden settings.

Native to South Africa’s Western Cape, Water Hawthorn thrives in cool, still or slow-moving freshwater habitats. Uniquely, it blooms in cooler seasons, often when other aquatic plants are dormant, providing visual interest and ecological benefits throughout the year. Its floating leaves offer shade and shelter for fish and other aquatic organisms. Water Hawthorn is prized not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its resilience and seasonal adaptability in ornamental water landscapes.