Blue waterlily, Cape blue waterlily
Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea

Family: Nymphaeaceae

What it is like

A waterlily. It is a herb that grows in water. The rhizome is embedded in the mud. The leaves and flowers float on the water. The leaves are green. The leaves are egg shaped and the sides overlap at the split section. The leaves are 30-40 cm across. The leaves with stalk spread 2.5-3 m wide. The flowers occur during the day. The petals are white with light blue tips. The flowers are 8-15 cm across.

There are about 50 Nymphaea species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in water. It grows in lagoons and stagnant water. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Egypt, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mozambique, Namibia, North Africa, Pacific, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The rootstock is eaten. They are peeled and roasted. They can be dried and stored. The flattened head of the flower stalk is eaten. The seeds are eaten.

It is an important food in Botswana.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, flowers, seeds, fruit

How it is grown

It seeds easily.

Its other names

Local names

Amalebo-emfula, Chikolwa, Chikorwa, Diwhwa, Egyptian lotus, Gongoa, Hapa, Hobvwe, Ikalala, Ikorom, Iziba, Kwibu, Makalala, Makwangala, Mashwa, Matiba, Mativo, Matiwu, Mungundo, Nailoafaru

Synonyms

Nymphaea caerulea Savigny; Nymphaea calliantha Conard; Nymphaea mildbraedii Gilg.; Nymphaea nelsonii Burtt Davy; Nymphaea spectabilis Gilg.; Nymphaea vernayi Bremekanp & Oberm.; (From The Plant List) Nymphaea cyclophylla R. E. Fr.; Nymphaea engleri Gilg.; Nymphaea maculata sensu Hauman; Nymphaea magnifica Gilg.; Nymphaea muschlerana Gilg.; Castalia caerulea Woodv. & Wood;