Fox Nut, Gorgon Nut, Prickly Water-Lily
Euryale ferox
Family: Nymphaeaceae
What it is like
A herb. It is a large waterlily. It re-grows each year or can last for a few years. It grows in water. The rhizomes or underground stems are erect and unbranched. The leaves which are under the water are not prickly. The leaf blade is spear head shaped and 4-10 cm long. The base is deeply heat shaped. The leaves which float on the water are prickly. The leaf blade is dark purple underneath but green on top. They are 1.3-2.7 m across. The are somewhat leathery. The flowers are 5 cm across. The flower stalk is stout and densely prickly. The sepals are triangle shaped or oval and 1-1.5 cm long. They are prickly underneath. The petals fade from purple at the outside to white in the centre. The fruit is dark purple and round. It is 5-10 cm across. It is spongy and densely prickly. The seeds are black and there are 8 to many. They are round and 6-10 mm across. The coat is thick and rigid.
There is one Euryale species. Chemical composition (dried seeds): Protein = 9.9%. Fat = 0.3%. Carbohydrate = 75.7%. Ash = 0.6%. They are available dried in Chinese stores in Australia.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical and tropical plant. It grows in lakes and ponds in many provinces of China. It grows in still water. It grows in wetlands. It needs a water temperature of 25°C or higher. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Kashmir, Korea, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Taiwan, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The roots and seeds are eaten. The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. They are used in curries. They are also pickled. The seeds can be used for flour. The rhizomes, young leaves and flower buds are eaten as a vegetable. The fruit are eaten raw and cooked. They are pickled.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is cultivated for its starchy seeds. It is sold in markets. It has been cultivated as a food in China for 3,000 years.
Edible parts
Seeds, roots, rhizomes, leaves, flower buds, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be soaked in water at 21-23°C. The seed should be kept wet before sowing.
The fruit are available from July to October in Manipur in India.
Its other names
Local names
Chicken-head rice, Chicken-Head, Gorgon plant, Jewar, Jitoumi, Kanta padma, Khee sat, Kuntapadmu, Makana, Makhana, Makhna, Mellunipadmamu, Nikhori, Nikori, Phukhol, Phul-makhana, Qianshi, Shriew-u-pubon, Sin-kya, Spiny waterlily, Thanging, Thangjing, Utpal