Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
cmp
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 511 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000382059
Common Names
- Nymphaea lotus
- Lotus Waterlily
- Sacred Waterlily
Synonyms
- Nymphaea aegyptiaca Opiz [unknown]
- Nymphaea liberiensis A.Chev. [unknown]
- Nymphaea leucantha Peter [unknown]
- Nymphaea reichardiana F.Hoffm. [unknown]
- Nymphaea ortgiesiana Planch. [unknown]
- Nymphaea acutidens Peter [unknown]
- Nymphaea hypotricha Peter [unknown]
- Nymphaea fragrantissima Welw. ex Casp. [unknown]
- Nymphaea edulis DC. [unknown]
- Nymphaea esculenta Roxb. [unknown]
- Nymphaea coteka Roxb. ex Salisb. [unknown]
- Nymphaea boucheana Planch. [unknown]
- Leuconymphaea lotus Kuntze [unknown]
- Castalia edulis Salisb. [unknown]
- Castalia lotus Tratt. [unknown]
- Castalia mystica Salisb. [unknown]
- Castalia pubescens Blume [unknown]
- Castalia sacra Salisb. [unknown]
- Nymphaea lotus rogeonii A.Chev. [unknown]
- Nymphaea dentata Schumach. & Thonn. [unknown]
Description
Nymphaea lotus (also called 'Sacred Water Lily', among many other common names) is a species of water lily native to the Mediterranean region. It is a perennial aquatic plant that grows in shallow, sunny habitats. It has a rosette of leaves with a long, slender stem and a flower-like inflorescence. The flowers are white and can reach up to 10 cm in diameter.
Uses & Benefits
Nymphaea lotus is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a ground cover. It is also used as a medicinal plant for treating various ailments such as fever, colds, and headaches.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis (DC.) Tuzson
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Nymphaea lotus is a small, white, cup-shaped flower with yellow center. The seed is a small, black, round seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single, oval-shaped leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Nymphaea lotus is a perennial aquatic plant that can be propagated by division of the rhizomes. It can be grown in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil pH levels and can tolerate some drought. It can be propagated from seed, but this is not recommended as the seedlings are slow to grow and may not be true to the parent plant.
Where to Find Nymphaea lotus
Nymphaea lotus is native to Africa, Asia, and Europe and is found in shallow, slow-moving water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and marshes.
Nymphaea lotus FAQ
What is the scientific name of Nymphaea lotus?
Nymphaea lotus
What type of plant is Nymphaea lotus?
Water lily
What is the native range of Nymphaea lotus?
Africa and Asia
Species in the Nymphaea genus
Nymphaea violacea,
Nymphaea tetragona,
Nymphaea tenuinervia,
Nymphaea thermarum,
Nymphaea sulphurea,
Nymphaea amazonum,
Nymphaea alba,
Nymphaea ampla,
Nymphaea micrantha,
Nymphaea nouchali,
Nymphaea novogranatensis,
Nymphaea lotus,
Nymphaea lasiophylla,
Nymphaea omarana,
Nymphaea malabarica,
Nymphaea maculata,
Nymphaea macrosperma,
Nymphaea mexicana,
Nymphaea rosea,
Nymphaea rubra,
Nymphaea rudgeana,
Nymphaea oxypetala,
Nymphaea pulchella,
Nymphaea pubescens,
Nymphaea prolifera,
Nymphaea potamophila,
Nymphaea hastifolia,
Nymphaea guineensis,
Nymphaea glandulifera,
Nymphaea gigantea,
Nymphaea gardneriana,
Nymphaea jamesoniana,
Nymphaea immutabilis,
Nymphaea heudelotii,
Nymphaea elleniae,
Nymphaea divaricata,
Nymphaea colchica,
Nymphaea candida,
Nymphaea conardii,
Nymphaea atrans,
Nymphaea belophylla,
Nymphaea leibergii,
Nymphaea alexii,
Nymphaea carpentariae,
Nymphaea georginae,
Nymphaea sundvikii,
Nymphaea ondinea,
Nymphaea lukei,
Nymphaea noelae,
Nymphaea vaporalis,
Species in the Nymphaeaceae family
Barclaya longifolia,
Barclaya motleyi,
Barclaya rotundifolia,
Euryale ferox,
Nuphar subintegerrima,
Nuphar spenneriana,
Nuphar pumila,
Nuphar lutea,
Nuphar japonica,
Nuphar fluminalis,
Nuphar submersa,
Nuphar saijoensis,
Nuphar microphylla,
Nuphar polysepala,
Nuphar rubrodisca,
Nuphar sagittifolia,
Nuphar rubrodisca,
Nuphar variegata,
Nuphar advena,
Nuphar ulvacea,
Nuphar orbiculata,
Nuphar bombycina,
Nuphar saikokuensis,
Nymphaea violacea,
Nymphaea tetragona,
Nymphaea tenuinervia,
Nymphaea thermarum,
Nymphaea sulphurea,
Nymphaea amazonum,
Nymphaea alba,
Nymphaea ampla,
Nymphaea micrantha,
Nymphaea nouchali,
Nymphaea novogranatensis,
Nymphaea lotus,
Nymphaea lasiophylla,
Nymphaea omarana,
Nymphaea malabarica,
Nymphaea maculata,
Nymphaea macrosperma,
Nymphaea mexicana,
Nymphaea rosea,
Nymphaea rubra,
Nymphaea rudgeana,
Nymphaea oxypetala,
Nymphaea pulchella,
Nymphaea pubescens,
Nymphaea prolifera,
Nymphaea potamophila,
Nymphaea hastifolia,