Nymphaea alba White water lily (Nymphaeaceae)

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Nymphaea alba
White water lily
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The Nymphaea alba plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Nymphaeaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as White water lily. Some home gardeners know the variety as N. occidentalis. Castalia alba. C. speciosa.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Nymphaea alba
Common Name:  White water lily
Family:  Nymphaeaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  One report suggests that the plant is poisonous but gives no further details[19]. The plant contains the toxic alkaloids nupharine and nymphaeine, these substances have an effect on the nervous system[240].

Mature Height:     Mature Width:  3

Habitat:  Marshes, ponds, slow moving streams, lakes and canals up to 1.2m deep[7, 9, 17].

Edible Uses: Root - cooked. Eaten when several years old[5, 145]. It contains up to 40% starch, 6% protein[7, 114]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[7]. Seed - cooked. It contains about 47% starch[114].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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