Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Ornamental - Widely grown as an ornamental plant. Food - Roots eaten as a starchy vegetable. Dried and ground into flour. Seeds are also consumed. Medicine - Commonly used in Ayurvedic astringent herb that has diuretic and tranquillizing effects, and is reputedly detoxicant and aphrodisiac. The root is taken internally in the treatment of dyspepsia, enteritis, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, urinary problems, fevers and insomnia. Flowers are used to treat palpatations. Cultural/Religious - It has cultural and religious significance for symbolizing purity, innocence, and spiritual enlightenment particularly for Buddhists .
Africa
Wet troipical biome.
Perennial aquatic with floating leaves and flower.
Thick, rhizomatous underground stem (rhizome).
Thick, rhizomatous underground stem (rhizome).
Large, showy, white or pink, often fragrant, open during day or night depending on variety.
Submerged, leathery, berry-like containing numerous seeds.
Flowering: Spring- early autum.