Blue Waterlily

Appearance

The leaves of the "N. gigantea" are round and can grow out to 75 cm across and are sinuate and dentate. In botany, this means that their edges are toothed with pointed teeth, about 0.5 cm long. The apex of the lobes are rounded, however, the "N. gigantea" develop points in the space between the lobes from the rest of the leaf. The flowers are emergent, standing 50 cm above the water, and growing to about 25 cm across. The leaves of "N. gigantea" lie on the water and are generally thick giving them a leathery feeling but are also brittle. The stigma is very dense with papillae, covering the dorsal surface of the carpels.

Distribution

The seeds of "N. gigantea" are eaten by the Australians. In Australia, the tubers are collected and roasted by Aboriginal women. The buds and flower stalks are collected and eaten as well. "N. gigantea" was first introduced in England in1852. Three years later in 1855, Van Houtte fruited the species. Since 1865, "N. gigantea" has been observed to flower during the summer months in water because that is the optimum condition for the tubers to germinate.

Habitat

The seeds of "N. gigantea" are eaten by the Australians. In Australia, the tubers are collected and roasted by Aboriginal women. The buds and flower stalks are collected and eaten as well. "N. gigantea" was first introduced in England in1852. Three years later in 1855, Van Houtte fruited the species. Since 1865, "N. gigantea" has been observed to flower during the summer months in water because that is the optimum condition for the tubers to germinate.