Characteristics
A water lily. It is an annual plant which grows in water. It has a thick rhizome. The leaves are 2 m across. The edges of the leaves curve upwards. There are gaps near the leaf stalk and directly opposite. The leaves float. The leaves have a netlike appearance. They are coppery red underneath. There are prickles under the leaf and on the leaf stalk. The flowers last for 3-4 days. They come out at night and have a sweet smell. The flowers are 25-40 cm across. They start creamy white but change to pink then purple. There are 50-60 petals. They are white or cream with a tinge of red. The fruit are 15 cm across. The fruit is covered with spines. The seeds are 5 mm across. They are green but turn black. The plants are pollinated by beetles.
| Life form |
perennial
|
| Growth form |
herb
|
| Growth support |
aquatic
|
| Foliage retention |
-
|
| Sexuality |
hermaphrodite
|
| Pollination |
-
|
| Spread |
-
|
| Mature width (meter) |
-
|
| Mature height (meter) |
-
|
| Root system |
rhizome
|
| Rooting depth (meter) |
-
|
| Root diameter (meter) |
-
|
| Flower color |
-
|
| Blooming months |
-
|
| Fruit color |
-
|
| Fruiting months |
-
|
| Nitrogen fixer |
-
|
| Photosynthetic pathway |
-
|
Environment
It is a tropical plant. It grows in mud in water 1.2-2 m deep. They need water temperatures above 24°C. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
| Light |
-
|
| Soil humidity |
-
|
| Soil texture |
-
|
| Soil acidity |
-
|
| Soil nutriment |
-
|
| Hardiness (USDA) |
|
Usage
The seeds are roasted and eaten.
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed. The temperature needs to be above 29°C. Flowers can be hand pollinated.
| Mode |
seedlings
|
| Germination duration (days) |
-
|
| Germination temperacture (C°) |
-
|
| Germination luminosity |
-
|
| Germination treatment |
-
|
| Minimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Optimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Size |
-
|
| Vigor |
-
|
| Productivity |
-
|
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