Waterlilies, Velvety devil's twine
Nymphaea pubescens

Family: Nymphaeaceae

What it is like

Waterlilies with large flat leaves which float on the water. They are hairy underneath. The white flowers are on stalks which reach above the water. The seed head is a cone shaped structure full of large numbers of very small seeds.

There are about 50 Nymphaea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. The plants occur in coastal swamps, lagoons and lakes. It grows in wetlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The small seeds in the seed heads are eaten raw or cooked. They are roasted with salt. Of some kinds the flower stalk is skinned then eaten raw. They are also cooked as a vegetable. The rootstocks are also eaten. They are sliced and cooked as curry with potato and onion.

In Papua New Guinea, the plant is more commonly used in very swampy lagoon areas such as Suki and Balimo in the Western Province. In India, flowers and stalks are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaf stalks, fruit stalks, flowers, roots

How it is grown

Plants grow naturally from seed. Seeds float temporarily then sink.

Its other names

Local names

Akum, Bhat, Dhala kain, Kalharamu, Koteka, Kya-phyu, Mambakijorgom, Phak sai bua, Rangakain, Sai bua, Shaluk, Shapla, Shunguneer pushpum, Sung trang, Tharo, Tharo-ashangba, Shapla (sada)

Synonyms

Nymphaea edulis (Salisb.) DC.; Nymphaea lotus var. pubescens (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thomson; and others