In times of famine and drought it was a major source of relief. Encased in a dark red outer shell that is somewhat enlongated in shape, tapering into pointed, horn-like ends, the fruit was called "chiao" which translates as horn or point.
菱角又叫沙角或水慄，兩頭尖尖的外殼，像個烏金元寶。菱肉肥厚粉糯，可粥可飯、宜糕宜果，自古是湖畔田家重要的生計來源，也為他們帶來採菱唱和的無窮樂趣。