Prickly Water Lily Euryale ferox
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-RY-al-ee FER-oks
- Description
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Euryale ferox, or Gorgon Plant, is a perennial species of water lily and the only extant species of Euryale. It is typically found in medium to large water gardens. It is easily propogated from seeds, but is nonviviparous (that is, does not germinate while attached to the parent plant). Euryale ferox has sharp spines on its stems and leaves and the leaves are dark green with purple veins. Individual leaves are 4 to 5 feet long and the plant itself will spread to a dramatic 15 foot flat pad on the water. The plant's flowers take the form of an inner row of white petals and an outer row of deep violet petals. It typically flowers during the day, but note that the water garden requires a depth of 3 to 8 inches of water for best flower production. The plant prefers still water or, if grown in soil, a rich medium. However, it will not do well in the shade and is not cold hardy.
When cultivated in temperate greenhouses, the plant is often grown as an annual. It is unlikely to succeed outdoors in cool climates, at least when grown as a perennial.
The plant produces starchy, white seeds and it is frequently cultivated as an edible plant in China and India. The fruit is soft and pulpy, about the size of a small orange and eaten in China as a cooling tonic food. The seeds are usually roasted, which causes them to pop like popcorn then eaten. In India, seeds are used in cooking, especially to make a porridge or pudding called kheer.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No known problems or issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euryale
- Species:
- ferox
- Family:
- nymphaeaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Fruit and seeds are eaten.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern India to Southern Russia and the Far East
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Edibility:
- Fruit are consumed raw. Each fruit contains from 8 to 15 seeds that are usually roasted and then eaten.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Water Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Spreading
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- The seed is about the size of a pea, each fruit containing from 8 to 15 seeds. The seed is used as a source of starch.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Inner row of white petals and an outer row of deep violet petals; flowers during the day, but water garden medium requires a depth of 3 to 8 inches of water for best flower production.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Rough
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 4 to 5 feet long. Plant spreads to 15 foot flat pad on the water. Leaves have sharp spines. The leaves are round with a leaf stalk attached in the centre of the lower surface. The underside of the leaf is purplish, while the upper surface is green. The leaves have a quilted texture, although the stems, flowers, and leaves which float on the surface are covered in sharp prickles. Other leaves are submerged.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems have sharp spines.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
