Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Root - cooked. Eaten when several years old[1][2][3]. It contains up to 40% starch, 6% protein[4][5]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[4].
Seed - cooked. It contains about 47% starch[5].Unknown part
Root
Seed
Material uses
There are no material uses listed for Nymphaea candida.Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The rhizome is anodyne, antiscrofulatic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent and sedative[6][4][7][8]. 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[9]. 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[9]. The rhizome is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[9]. The flowers are anaphrodisiac and sedative[9]. 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[9]. A complete cure of uterine cancer by a decoction and uterine injection has been recorded[6].
According to one report the plant is not used in modern herbal practice, though it has been quoted as a remedy for dysentery[7].Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
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[10].
Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[11].Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Nymphaea candida. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[12]. 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[13]. 'clumpers' have vertical roots, they form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain[13].A very ornamental plant[14].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Nymphaea candida. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Nymphaea candida.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
References
- ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
- ? 2.02.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
- ? 3.03.1 Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
- ? 5.05.15.2 Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq. ()
- ? 6.06.16.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
- ? 7.07.17.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
- ? 8.08.1 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)
- ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
- ? 10.010.110.210.310.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? 11.011.1 Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7158-0789-7 (1982-00-00)
- ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
- ? 13.013.1 Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society ISBN 1352-4186 (1994-00-00)
- ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)