Nature Diary
Waterlily Nymphaea nouchali
Also called star lotus, red and blue water lily, or blue star water lily, this is a water lily of genus Nymphaea. It is the national flower of Sri Lanka and of Bangladesh and native to southern and eastern Asia.
It is a day-blooming plant with submerged roots and stems. It is found in static or slow-flowing ponds and stagnant water pools of little to moderate depth. Part of the leaves are submerged, while others rise slightly above the surface. The leaves are round and green on top; they usually have a darker underside. The floating leaves have undulating edges that give them a crenellate or wavy appearance. Their size is about 20-23 cm and their spread is 0.9 to 1.8 m.
It grows from rhizomes or tubers rooted under the water. Although leaves float on the water surface, flowers are generally held 30 cm above water. This water lily has a beautiful flower which is usually violet blue in color with reddish edges. They have pale yellow stamens and anthers. Some varieties have white, purple, mauve or fuchsia-colored flowers, hence its name red and blue water lily. The flower has 4-5 sepals and 13-15 petals that have an angular appearance making the flower look star-shaped from above. The cup-like calyx has a diameter of 11-14 cm. The plant flowers all year around.
Like all waterlilies or lotuses, its tubers and rhizomes can be used as food items; they are eaten usually boiled or roasted. Its tender leaves and flower peduncles are also valued as food. The dried plant is collected from ponds, tanks and marshes during the dry season and used as animal forage.
It is considered a medicinal plant in Indian Ayurvedic medicine under the name Ambal; it was mainly used to treat indigestion.