Plant · GBIF taxon 7326947
Nymphaea nouchali
nymphaea nouchaliAlso known as Blue Lotus, Star Lotus, Blue Water Lily, Manel Flower
These day-blooming aquatic plants anchor themselves in the muddy bottoms of ponds and slow-moving rivers, sending up long petioles to float flat, notched leaves on the water's surface. The striking star-shaped blossoms rise slightly above the water, opening their pale blue, purple, or pinkish petals to the morning sun before closing by mid-afternoon. Highly revered in South Asian cultures, they play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems by providing shade and shelter for fish.
AquaticDay-BloomingCultural Icon
- diet
- Photoautotrophic (sunlight, water, and soil nutrients)
- family
- Nymphaeaceae
- threats
- Water pollution, wetland drainage, invasive aquatic weeds, and habitat destruction
- life Span
- Perennial
LC
Contains mild alkaloids; do not ingest any part of the plant.
Contains active alkaloids such as nymphaeine and nupharin, which can cause gastrointestinal distress and mild sedation if ingested raw.
Enjoy their beauty from the shore or a boat; do not harvest or consume any part of the plant.- Observe the timing: Visit in the morning to see the flowers fully open, as they close by afternoon.
- Protect the roots: Avoid wading near the plants, as stepping on the muddy substrate can damage their delicate rhizomes.
- Watch for wildlife: Look closely at the floating leaves to spot frogs, dragonflies, and aquatic snails using them as platforms.