Nymphaeaceae FAMILY

Nymphaea lotus

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Nymphaea lotus is a herbaceous plant with a perennial rootstock growing from the bottom of ponds and lakes, producing a rosette of large leaves that float on the surface of the water. This plant was one of the most important plants in ancient Egyptian art, ritual, food and medicine, with all parts of the plant being utilized[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ]. The plant is still often used, especially in China and India, as a source of food and medicines, whilst it is also widely grown as an ornamental plant[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeTropical Africa, E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia.

HabitatPonds in hillsides of southern China[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. A water plant of sheltered still water 0.5 - 2.5 metres deep, also in swamps and fringes of Lake Victoria, at elevations from sea level to 1,200 metres in Tanzania[ 398 Title Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania Publication Author Ruffo, C.K.: Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B. Publisher Regional Land Management Unit; Nairobi. Year 2002 ISBN 9966-896-60-0 Description A very well presented, simple guide to growing and utilizing wild food plants in Tanzania, with line drawings of each plant, a description, habitat and range, non-food as well as food uses, plus basic information on growing the plants. ].