Nymphaea violacea

Nymphaea violacea

Family: Nymphaeaceae
Distribution: Northern Queensland, northern parts of the Northern Territory and the Kimberly region of Western Australia.
Common Name: Water lily
Conservation Status: Not considered to be at risk in the wild.
Derivation of Name: Nymphaea…from Greek nymphe; a nymph or bride
violacea…from Latin violace, violet coloured, referring to the flowers

General Description:

Nymphaea violacea is a floating perennial herb growing from a rhizome in the mud of the pond base. Leaves are broadly egg-shaped to circular with a split at the base to the point of the stalk attachment, 6-29 cm x 7-23 cm, dark green above, purplish or paler green beneath, smooth. The leaf margins are wavy but not toothed.

Flowers are borne on long stalks up to 30 cm above the water surface. They are 7-16 cm in diameter and violet, blue or white in colour and can be seen at most times of the year.

The plant may be propagated from seed or division of the rhizomes.