Nymphaea violacea
| Nymphaea violacea | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Species: | N. violacea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea violacea Lehm., 1853
| |
Nymphaea violacea, also known as blue lily,[1] is a waterlily in the genus Nymphaea.
Distribution
Nymphaea violacea is found in Australia, particularly in the Kimberleys and in northern parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.[2]
Description
The flowers are violet, blue or white.[2]
Uses
The waterlily is a bush tucker of the Aborigines in northern Australia. The tuber, stem, flowers and seeds are all edible
Like other species in the genus, the plant contains the psychoactive alkaloid aporphine (not to be confused with apomorphine) which provide sedative effects when ingested. ref>Ah Sam, Margaret (2006). Mitakoodi Bush Tucker. Mount Isa: Black Ink Press. p. 7. ISBN 1-86334-009-2.</ref>
References
- ^ Brennan, Kim (1986). Wildflowers of Kakadu: a guide to the wildflowers of Kakadu National Park and the Top End of the Northern Territory. K.G. Brennan. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ a b Townsend, Keith. "Nymphaea violacea". Nymphaea violacea. Australian Native Plants Society. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
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