Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) Savigny, 1798 |
Synonyms: Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea, Nymphaea calliantha, Nymphaea cyclophylla, Nymphaea magnifica, Nymphaea mildbraedii, Nymphaea muschleriana, Nymphaea nelsonii, Nymphaea scutifolia, Nymphaea spectabilis, Nymphaea vernayi, Castalia caerulea, Castalia scutifolia, Leuconymphaea caerulea, Blue Egyptian Lotus, blue water lily, sacred blue lily |
Nymphaea caerulea is likely native only to the Nile Valley and parts of East Africa; suspected ancient introduction in South and South-East Asia; introduced in South America after the arrival of the Europeans. Taxonomy confusing: some authorities consider it synonymous with Nymphaea nouchali. A floating perennial herb; leaves floating, ovate or orbicular, with entire or sinuate margins; 25-40 cm across. Flowers are in long peduncles, emersed, 7-8 cm in diameter; green sepals and pale-blue to lilac petals; open around mid-morning and close in mid-afternoon.