Nymphaea lotus — a medium houseplant, prefers full sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Nymphaea lotus

Nymphaea Lotus

Updated · 208 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Nymphaea lotus, commonly known as the Egyptian white water lily or tiger lotus, is a perennial aquatic plant that belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae. Native to Africa and parts of Asia, this plant thrives in shallow freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. The plant features large, round leaves that float on the water's surface. These leaves are green on top and have a reddish-brown underside. The fragrant flowers are adorned with white petals and yellow centers, typically blooming in the summer months. Nymphaea lotus holds significant value in traditional medicine due to its various medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. Additionally, it is prized for its cosmetic benefits, particularly its ability to improve skin texture. Beyond its medicinal and cosmetic uses, Nymphaea lotus plays a crucial ecological role. It provides habitat for a variety of aquatic animals, such as fish and insects, thus contributing to the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. Overall, Nymphaea lotus is a beautiful and beneficial aquatic plant, offering numerous advantages both medicinally and ecologically. Its presence enriches our natural world in multiple meaningful ways.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Nymphaea
Family
Nymphaeaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
46 cm
Mature Spread
1.22 m
Leaf Color
Dark Green, Forest Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
15.24 cm to 30.48 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer, Fall, Early winter
Native Area
Burkina Faso, Somalia, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Angola, Namibia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Niger, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Sierra Leone, Indonesia, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mozambique, Cameroon, Burundi, Ghana, Ethiopia, Romania, Botswana, Congo, Central African Republic, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Sudan, Philippines, Laos, Bangladesh, Guinea, Chad, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Togo, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, Eswatini, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Congo (DRC), Thailand, Gabon
ALSO KNOWN AS

Other names.

en Egyptian lotus en Egyptian water-lily en Tiger lotus en White Egyptian lotus en White water-lily en White lotus en Egyptian White Water-lily en Lotus water lily en Yellow water lily en Water Lily
PLATES
Nymphaea lotus leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Nymphaea lotus leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Nymphaea lotus flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Nymphaea lotus flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Nymphaea lotus habit
PLATE 05 · habit
Nymphaea lotus habit
PLATE 06 · habit
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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