Water Lily

~ Nymphaea gigantea ~

Yibooboong in the Miriwoong language

NYMPHAEACEAE

Rising up from murky brown waters, these pure and pristine beauties are a prize to behold. There’s something magical about aquatic blooms; we see them portrayed in folklore and revered and consecrated in many cultures. It is possible, no matter how little space you may have, to cultivate your own Lilies. They can also be used as a cut flower by snipping and floating in a bowl of water. Aside from its beauty, this Water Lily is also edible. When the plant becomes dormant in the winter, it dies back to a sweet-potato-like rhizome, which can be eaten.

WHERE TO LOOK

The lovely Water Lily can be found in permanent waterways in the sub-tropical and tropical zones of Queensland and the Northern Territory. You’ll also see it throughout botanical gardens along the east coast.

FEATURES

Water Lily flowers can be purple-blue with hints of pink and fade to a near white when they age. They are 6–30cm wide and sit atop long stalks that poke out of the water at 50cm. Its big round leaves lie flat, floating on the surface, and feature a slight toothy edge, which distinguishes them from similar species. The fruit are spongy berries with thousands of red seeds that ripen to grey and are edible. Once the flower dies down, the seeds are dispersed and sink to the bottom where they lie dormant in the mud until germination.

FLOWERING SEASON

Spring and summer → This perennial plant pops up throughout the warmer months and can flower all year in the tropics.

TRADITIONAL USES

The genus of Nymphaea – Water Lilies – is an important food source for First Nations People. The tubers, seeds, flowers and stalks are all edible. The tubers are retrieved from waterways and then roasted and eaten. According to Tim Low’s Wild Food Plants of Australia, the nectar from the flowers is also consumed, but in large quantities it can cause headaches.

PLANTING

The giant Lily is great for water gardens in sunny spots as it can limit the growth of algae. It can be easily cultivated by seed or by tuber, and can be grown in a large container if you’re short on a personal pond or lake. It enjoys warm waters so if you are cultivating the Water Lily further south, you might find it dies back for longer during cooler times.