Fragrant Water Lily

Fragrant Water Lily

A cosmopolitan genus of 50 species of aquatic perennials with floating leaves. Ten species and many hybrids are grown as ornamentals, including tropical and hardy kinds, in a great variety of colors and sizes. These include the European N. alba and American N. tuberosa, which resemble N. odorata in appearance, and are used interchangeably for medicinal purposes. Nymphaea odorata has a long history of medicinal use among native N. Americans. In the 19th century the powdered rhizome was widely sold by apothecaries for making poultices. Research has shown that the flowers of N. alba are anaphrodisiac, comfirming its reputation for depressing sexual function. Nymphaea lotus (white lotus) was one of the most important plants in ancient Egyptian art, ritual, food, and medicine. The flowers were a common ingredient of oils, ointments, poultices, and enemas; the leaves appear in remedies for liver disease; the roots were eaten raw or cooked; the seeds were added to bread. White lotus flowers are still used by Egyptian herbalists for their cooling, calming effects; N. caerulea (Blue lotus) was similarly venerated and used medicinally. It is found in N and tropical Africa, where it is used internally for kidney or bladder complaints, and externally as a soothing, antiseptic remedy for sunburn, heat rashes, and skin inflammations. Nymphaea is from the Greek nymphaia, "water nymph".

Aquatic, perennial with stout rhizomes, and ovate to rounded, leathery, glossy leaves, 15-30cm (6-12in) across, which are cleft at the base and often have purple-green undersides. Fragrant white flowers, 10-22cm (4-9in) across, with yellow stamens, appear in summer.

Common Name:	Fragrant Water Lily
Other Names:	White Pond Lily
Botanical Name:	Nymphaea Odorata
Genus:	Nymphaea
Family:	Nymphaeaceae
Native Location:	NE USA
Cultivation:	Rich soil in still water, to 45cm (18in) deep (N. odorata); right soil in still water at least 30cm (12in) deep (N. lotus). Both species need full sun. Dormant tubers of N. lotus may be stored in moist sand. Aphids may attack plants. Water lily beetles and caterpillars may eat leaves. Deep water and over-rich soil inhibit flowering.
Propagation:	By seed sown when ripe at 10-13°C (50-55°F) for hardy species, and 23-27°C (73-81°F) for tender species; by offsets or division of rhizomes in spring or early summer. Sow seeds on surface of wet soil mix, covering with 2.5cm (1in) of water.
Harvest:	Flowers are cut when open and used fresh for infusions. Rootstocks are lifted when dormant and used fresh or dried for decoctions (N. lotus). Fruits and seeds are harvested when ripe and used fresh. Rhizomes are lifted in autumn, after the leaves have died down, and are dried for decoctions, liquid extracts, and powders (N. odorata).
Width:	1.2-1.8m (4-6ft)
Variations:	Rosea Has deep pink strongly scented flowers to 10cm (4in) Native to E. USA
Hardiness:	Z3-11
Parts Used:	Rhizomes
Properties:	A soothing, astringent, antiseptic herb; releives pain and has alterative effects.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for tuberculosis, chronic bronchial complaints, diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal inflammation, gonorrhea, vaginal discharge, cystitis, prostatitis, uterine infections, and uterine cancer. Externally for boils, abscesses, conjunctivitis, sore throat, and vaginitis. Combined with Prunus serotina (See, Wild Black Cherry) for bronchial complaints, and with Linum usitatissimum (See, Flax) and Ulmus rubra (See, Slippery Elm) for boils.
Culinary Uses:	Leaves are added to soups and stews. Flower buds are pickled or cooked as a vegetable.
Bibliography:	The Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 289-290