Edible: Seeds, Root, Tuber, Leaves, Stamens, Rhizomes, Seeds - coffee, Vegetable, Fruit, Flowers, Tea
A herb which grows in water and continues growing for several years. The rootstock is under water and creeping. The leaf stalk grows 1-2 m high. The leaves can be 20-90 cm across. It has large round leaves which stand out of the water. The stalk joins to the centre of the leaf. It has large attractive pink, red or white flowers which stand out of the water on long stalks. Flowers are pink or white and 15 to 25 cm across. The flower stalk can be longer than the leaf stalk. The mature fruit is a spongy cone shaped structure with several seeds about 1 cm across under the holes in the top. These fruit can be 7-15 cm long. The edible rhizome is submerge in mud.
It is a tropical plant but will grow in cooler places. It needs 20-30°C. It needs full sunshine. It can grow in deep water. It does best in fresh water. The pH can range from 5.6-7.5. It grows in wetlands. It is common in some parts of the Philippines such as Laguna de bay. It is also reported from Camarines, Mindoro, Cotabato and Davao. It will probably grow up to about 1000 m altitude. It occurs in the Fly and Sepik River areas in Papua New Guinea. It is cultivated in most of China except the very northern areas. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In XTBG Yunnan.
Common Names: Ambal, Ambuj, Ambuja, Aravinda, Baino, Bhen, Bhishi chya biya, Bhisikandda, Bua-luang, Bua-sai, Bunga padam, Bunga telpok, Chhouk, Chinese lotus, Dhala padma, Dhepra, Erra-tamara, Furong, Hasu, He flower, Hehua, He ye, Indijski lotos, Kalung, Kamal-kakri, Kamal, Kamala, Kankadi, Kanwal, Kokomba, Lian, Lin ngau, Lin, Loto, Lotosblume, Lotus cina, Nadroo, Nelum, Nelumbo, Nelun-ala, Ngau, Padam, Padda, Padda bihar, Padema, Padma, Padon-ma-kya, Padum, Pamposh, Pankaja, Parani baha, Pavan, Pink lotus-lily, Padda phul, Poddo gota, Podum, Purni punp, Renkon, Sacred Lotus lily, Salkub sanga, Salukid ba, Sen, Senthamara, Seroja, Sivapputamarai, Soh-lapudong, Suriyakamal, Tamburu, Tabare beru, Tavare beru, Tavaregadde, Teratai, Thamara, Thamarai, Thambal, Thambou, Thamou, Upal ba, Yavanti, Yeonkkot
Synonyms: Nelumbo caspica Eichw.;
Nelumbo komarovii Grossheim;
Nelumbo nelumbo (L.) Druce, nom. inval.;
Nelumbo nucifera var. macrorhizomata Nakai;
Nelumbo speciosum Willd., nom. illeg.;
Nelumbium speciosum Willd.;
Nymphaea nelumbo L.;
Nelumbium nelumbo (L.) Druce;