Nymphaea alba - White Water Lily

Family:	Nymphaeaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Width:	3
Synonyms:	N. occidentalis. Castalia alba. C. speciosa.
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain.

Nymphaea alba (White Water Lily) is a Perennial and a width of 3m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
White Water Lily will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Flies, self

Soil Information

White Water Lily will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
White Water Lily prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

White Water Lily should not be planted in shady areas.

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

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant

Cultivation Details

A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position in still or slowly moving water[56, 200]. Best grown in 2 - 2.5 metres of water[200]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. Dislikes acid conditions according to another report. This species is hardy to about -20°c[187]. There are two basic types of plant in this genus:- '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[214]. 'clumpers' have vertical roots and form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain[214]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The flowers, which only open in bright sunshine, have a soft delicate scent[245].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 4/5
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].

• Coffee - the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The rhizome is anodyne, antiscrofulatic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent and sedative[4, 7, 9, 240]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of dysentery or diarrhoea caused by irritable bowel syndrome. It has also been used to treat bronchial catarrh and kidney pain and can be taken as a gargle for sore throats[254]. Externally it can be used to make a douche to treat vaginal soreness or discharges. In combination with slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) or flax (Linum usitatissimum) it is used as a poultice to treat boils and abscesses[254]. The rhizome is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[254]. The flowers are anaphrodisiac and sedative[254]. They have a generally calming and sedative effect upon the nervous system, reputedly reducing the sex drive and making them useful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and similar disorders[254]. A complete cure of uterine cancer by a decoction and uterine injection has been recorded[4]. According to one report the plant is not used in modern herbal practice, though it has been quoted as a remedy for dysentery[9].

• Anaphrodisiac - Reduces sexual desire.
• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antiscrophulatic - Counteracts scrofula. (TB, especially of the lymph glands)
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Cardiotonic - A tonic for the heart.
• Demulcent - Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

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[200]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[56].

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

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].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - No entries have been made for this species as yet.

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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