White Water Lily (Nymphaea alba)

Family: Nymphaeaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Nymphaea alba is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Root - cooked. Eaten when several years old. It contains up to 40% starch, 6% protein. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. Seed - cooked. It contains about 47% starch. — Eaten when several years old.; It contains up to 40% starch, 6% protein.; Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.; The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.

Habitat & North American Range

Marshes, ponds, slow moving streams, lakes and canals up to 1.2m deep. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)