Edible Seeds, Roots, Rhizomes, Leaves, Flower buds, Vegetable
A herb. It is a large waterlily. It re-grows each year or can last for a few years. It grows in water. The rhizomes or underground stems are erect and unbranched. The leaves which are under the water are not prickly. The leaf blade is spear head shaped and 4-10 cm long. The base is deeply heat shaped. The leaves which float on the water are prickly. The leaf blade is dark purple underneath but green on top. They are 1.3-2.7 m across. The are somewhat leathery. The flowers are 5 cm across. The flower stalk is stout and densely prickly. The sepals are triangle shaped or oval and 1-1.5 cm long. They are prickly underneath. The petals fade from purple at the outside to white in the centre. The fruit is dark purple and round. It is 5-10 cm across. It is spongy and densely prickly. The seeds are black and there are 8 to many. They are round and 6-10 mm across. The coat is thick and rigid.
It is a subtropical and tropical plant. It grows in lakes and ponds in many provinces of China. It grows in still water. It grows in wetlands. It needs a water temperature of 25°C or higher. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Common names : Fox Nut, Gorgon Nut, Prickly Water-Lily, Chicken-head rice, Chicken-Head, Gorgon plant, Jewar, Jitoumi, Kanta padma, Khee sat, Kuntapadmu, Makana, Makhana, Makhna, Mellunipadmamu, Nikhori, Nikori, Phukhol, Phul-makhana, Qianshi, Shriew-u-pubon, Sin-kya, Spiny waterlily, Thanging, Thangjing, Utpal,