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Nymphaea candida - Presl.&C.Presl.

Common Name
Family Nymphaeaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Ponds, lakes and slow flowing streams[266].
Range Europe, southwest Asia, Himalayas, China and Siberia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Water Plants Full sun
Nymphaea candida


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Nymphaea candida

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Nymphaea candida is a PERENNIAL.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root  Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee

The following reports refer to the related N. alba and probably also apply to this species[K]. Root - cooked. Eaten when several years old[2, 5, 145]. It contains up to 40% starch, 6% protein[7, 114]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[7]. Seed - cooked. It contains about 47% starch[114].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anaphrodisiac  Anodyne  Antiscrophulatic  Astringent  Cardiotonic  Demulcent  Dysentery  Sedative


The following reports refer to the related N. alba and probably also apply to this species[K]. 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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position in still or slowly moving water[56, 200]. It is 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. Plants are 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, they form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain[214]. A very ornamental plant[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Euryale feroxFoxnut, EuryalePerennial1.0 7-10  LMHNWa32 
Nuphar advenaCommon Spatterdock, Yellow pond-lily, Varigated yellow pond-lilyPerennial0.0 3-7  LMHSNWa320
Nuphar japonicum Perennial0.0 5-9  LMHSNWa31 
Nuphar luteaYellow Water Lily, Yellow pond-lily, Rocky Mountain pond-lily, Varigated yellow pond-lilyPerennial0.0 4-8  LMHSNWa32 
Nuphar polysepalaSpatterdock, Rocky Mountain pond-lilyPerennial1.8 4-8  LMHSNWa31 
Nuphar pumilaYellow pond-lilyPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNWa31 
Nymphaea albaWhite Water Lily, European white waterlilyPerennial0.0 4-8  LMHNWa32 
Nymphaea odorataFragrant Water Lily, American white waterlilyPerennial0.0 4-8  LMHNWa330
Nymphaea tetragonaPygmy Water LilyPerennial0.0 -  LMHNWa20 
Nymphaea tuberosaTuberous Water Lily, American white waterlilyPerennial0.0 3-7  LMHNWa33 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Presl.&C.Presl.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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