Nymphaea violacea

Nymphaea violacea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Order:Nymphaeales
Family:Nymphaeaceae
Genus:Nymphaea
Species: N. violacea
Binomial name
Nymphaea violacea
Lehm., 1853

Nymphaea violacea, also known as blue lily,[1] is a waterlily in the genus Nymphaea.

Distribution

Nymphaea violacea is found in Australia, particularly in the Kimberleys and in northern parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.[2]

Description

The flowers are violet, blue or white.[2]

Uses

The waterlily is a bush tucker of the Aborigines in northern Australia. The tuber, stem, flowers and seeds are all edible

Like other species in the genus, the plant contains the psychoactive alkaloid aporphine (not to be confused with apomorphine) which provide sedative effects when ingested. ref>Ah Sam, Margaret (2006). Mitakoodi Bush Tucker. Mount Isa: Black Ink Press. p. 7. ISBN 1-86334-009-2. </ref>

References

  1. Brennan, Kim (1986). Wildflowers of Kakadu: a guide to the wildflowers of Kakadu National Park and the Top End of the Northern Territory. K.G. Brennan. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  2. 1 2 Townsend, Keith. "Nymphaea violacea". Nymphaea violacea. Australian Native Plants Society. Retrieved 15 September 2011.


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