What is Nymphaea nouchali?
Q: What is Nymphaea nouchali?
A: Nymphaea nouchali is an aquatic flowering plant in the Nymphaeaceae (water-lily family). It is native to southern and eastern Asia.
Q: How does it grow?
A: N. nouchali grows from rhizomes or tubers rooted under the water. Leaves spread 1.4–1.5 m (4–5 feet) from where the rhizome is rooted and flowers are generally held 30 cm (12 in) above water.
Q: What do its flowers look like?
A: Flowers have little fragrance, are star-shaped with 4 sepals and 10–16 petals, and are 5–13 cm (2–5 in) in diameter. They are usually pale blue (but can be pink or white) with pale yellow stamens and anthers.
Q: Where has it been cultivated for centuries?
A: N. nouchali has been cultivated in southeast Asia for centuries, especially around temples.
Q: What uses does it have?
A: In addition to being cultivated as a decorative flower, it is also gathered from dried ponds in India for the rhizomes which are used as food and animal fodder as a source of starch, and used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat indigestion.
Q: Are there any cultivars of this species?
A: Yes, there are two cultivars - N. stellata var cyanea which has medium-sized pale to deep blue flowers, and N stellata var versicolor which is commonly exported from Sri Lanka to Europe and the U S for use in aquariums due to its ability to quickly grow after exposure to warm water making an “instant” aquarium plant
