Tuberous Water Lily (Nymphaea tuberosa)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −40 °C
Cultivation
A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position in still or slowly moving water. There are two basic types of plant in this genus (this species is a crawler):- 'crawlers' are species with horizontal roots that often spread freely, with new plants being formed at intervals along the root. These species are useful for naturalising, but they do not flower very freely in the cool summers of Britain. 'clumpers' have vertical roots, they form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain. The flowers have a fruity perfume like that of ripe apples.
Propagation
Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established.
Edible uses
Seed - cooked. The root is rich in starch, oil and protein. The bitter tasting tuber is occasionally eaten. The bitterness can be reduced somewhat by leaching the root in water.
Medicinal uses
The following notes are the medicinal uses of N. odorata. It is said that this species can be used interchangeably. The root is alterative, anodyne, antiseptic, astringent and demulcent. A poultice made from the roots is used in the treatment of swellings, boils, tumours, inflamed skin, vaginitis etc. A complete cure of uterine cancer by a decoction and uterine injection has been recorded.
Habitat
Pond margins and slow streams.
Native range
North-eastern N. America.