Egyptian Water Lily, Tiger lotus
Nymphaea lotus

Family: Nymphaeaceae

What it is like

A waterlily. It is a herb which grows in water. It grows 10-40 cm high and spreads 0.9-3.5 m wide. The stem or rhizome is stuck in the mud. The leaf stalks and flower stalks arise directly from this root. The leaves swim on the surface of the water. The leaves are toothed around the edge. The flowers are reddish and white. They are large and with 12-14 pointed petals. There are 4 fleshy outer segments of deep green.

There are about 50 Nymphaea species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It also grows in warm and temperate places. It grows in pools in hot arid places. It grows in still water 0.5-2.5 m deep. It grows between sea level and 1,500 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Romania, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young flower receptacle is eaten raw, or cooked, as a vegetable. It is also pickled and used in curries. The young seeds are edible. They are pickled, put in curries, roasts or ground into flour for cakes. The root tuber is roasted or dried and ground into flour. The flour can be stored for several months. The tubers are also boiled and eaten. They are cooked with tamarind pulp.

The seeds are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Rhizome, seeds, flower receptacles, stems, leaves, flower stalks, root, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown using seed, suckers or rhizomes.

Tubers are collected all year round.

Its other names

Local names

Ambal, Allitamarai, Bado, Bagnegu, Bara-curudje, Bua deng, Bua ki-pe, Buasaikao, Cancinhai, Dambi, Egyptian lotus, Ekoromit, Enquequeler, Entchiqueler, Et-olu, King'ala, Kitzequete, Kumudini, Lombo, Longa longa, Lubehe, Makwangala, Maleve, Mativa, Matuwa, Myungiyungi, N'gokou, Olu, Pralit, Pro lit, Renkon, Salkub sanga, Tchingalir, Telepok merah, Telepok puteh, Teratai kecil, Tiva, Toro, Tunjong mas, White lotus, Yunga

Synonyms

Castalia lotus Woodv. & Wood; Nymphaea zenkeri Gilg.;