Cape Blue Water Lily
Nymphaea capensis

Family: Nymphaeaceae

What it is like

A waterlily which keeps growing from year to year. It has underground storage organs or tubers which can become stems or rhizomes. The leaves are 30-40 cm across. The edges of the leaves are deeply wavy. The flowers are above the water level. They are 15 cm across. They stand about 30 cm above the water. There are 4 sepals which are green with white or blue tinged edges. The petals are blue or white. The seeds are small and egg shaped. They are 2 mm long. The flowers remain open fro 4-5 days but close at night. As the fruit forms the stalk becomes like a spiral and pulls the fruit under the water.

There are about 50 Nymphaea species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in shallow water up to 1 m deep. It grows in mud and clays. It needs full sun. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the lowlands. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Central Africa, Chad, Congo, East Africa, Fiji, Hawaii, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pacific, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Thailand, USA, Zambia

How it is used for food

It is a significant occasional food in Mozambique.

Edible parts

Seeds, stalks, roots, corm

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They can grow in mud up to 1 m deep. It can also be grown by division of the plant.

Its other names

Local names

Buaphan, Shapla (pink)

Synonyms

Nymphaea caerulea Andrews; Nymphaea edgeworthii Lehm.; Nymphaea hookeriana Lehm.; Nymphaea punctata Edgew.; Nymphaea scutifolia DC.; Nymphaea capensis var. zanzibariensis; unsure Nymphaea zanzibariensis; unsure