Tuberous Water Lily, American white waterlily

Nymphaea tuberosa

Physical Characteristics

Nymphaea tuberosa is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to September, 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.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Ontario and Quebec south to Kansas and Oklahoma.

Habitats

Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Seed - cooked[159, 177]. The seed can be ground into a powder and used as a flour or fried and used like popcorn[183]. The root is rich in starch, oil and protein[183]. The bitter tasting tuber is occasionally eaten[105, 159, 177, 183]. The bitterness can be reduced somewhat by leaching the root in water.

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Anodyne Antiseptic Astringent Demulcent Dysentery The following notes are the medicinal uses of N. odorata. It is said that this species can be used interchangeably[238]. The root is alterative, anodyne, antiseptic, astringent and demulcent[4, 21, 165, 238]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of TB, chronic bronchial complaints, diarrhoea, dysentery, gastrointestinal inflammation, gonorrhoea, vaginal discharge, inflamed glands, mouth sores and to stop bleeding[222, 238]. A poultice made from the roots is used in the treatment of swellings, boils, tumours, inflamed skin, vaginitis etc[222, 238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn once the plant has died down, and are dried for later use[238]. A complete cure of uterine cancer by a decoction and uterine injection has been recorded[4].

Known Hazards

None known