Nymphaea alba
White Water Lily
a perennial member of the Nymphaea genus in the family Nymphaeaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Nymphaeaceae
- Genus
- Nymphaea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Spread
- 3 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Flies, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Flies, Self
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
One report suggests that the plant is poisonous but gives no further details[6]. The plant contains the toxic alkaloids nupharine and nymphaeine, these substances have an effect on the nervous system[9].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - cooked. Eaten when several years old[13][3]. It contains up to 40% starch, 6% protein[15][2]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[15]. Seed - cooked. It contains about 47% starch[2].
- Product or use
- Coffee
- Plant part
- Root
- Plant part
- Seed
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The rhizome is anodyne, antiscrofulatic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent and sedative[12][15][16][9]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of dysentery or diarrhoea caused by irritable bowel syndrome. It has also been used to treat bronchial catarrh and kidney pain and can be taken as a gargle for sore throats[11]. Externally it can be used to make a douche to treat vaginal soreness or discharges. In combination with slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) or flax (Linum usitatissimum) it is used as a poultice to treat boils and abscesses[11]. The rhizome is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[11]. The flowers are anaphrodisiac and sedative[11]. They have a generally calming and sedative effect upon the nervous system, reputedly reducing the sex drive and making them useful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and similar disorders[11]. A complete cure of uterine cancer by a decoction and uterine injection has been recorded[12]. According to one report the plant is not used in modern herbal practice, though it has been quoted as a remedy for dysentery[16].
- Product or use
- Anaphrodisiac
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiscrophulatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Cardiotonic
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Sedative
Environment
- Range
- Most of Europe, including Britain.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- aquatic
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears[7]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[14].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position in still or slowly moving water[14][7]. Best grown in 2 - 2.5 metres of water[7]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[7]. Dislikes acid conditions according to another report. This species is hardy to about -20°c[5]. There are two basic types of plant in this genus:- 'crawlers' are species with horizontal roots that often spread freely, with new plants being formed at intervals along the root. These species are useful for naturalising, but they do not flower very freely in the cool summers of Britain[8]. 'clumpers' have vertical roots and form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain[8]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The flowers, which only open in bright sunshine, have a soft delicate scent[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.
Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-7158-0789-7
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2