Egyptian lotus (Nymphaea lotus, Sp. Pl.: 511 (1753))

Family: Nymphaeaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 511 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Nymphaea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Africa

Description

The Egyptian lotus, scientifically known as Nymphaea lotus, is a striking aquatic plant native to Africa. This enchanting species belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family and has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts alike since it was first described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.”

Recognizable by its large, rounded leaves that float serenely on the surface of the water, the Egyptian lotus plays an integral role in both natural aquatic ecosystems and beautifully maintained water gardens. The plant’s leaves can grow to impressive widths, providing ample shade and habitat for aquatic creatures underneath.

However, it is the Egyptian lotus’s ethereal blossoms that truly capture the imagination. These exquisite flowers emerge from the water with elegance and grace, displaying petals that are typically white or slightly tinged with pink. The flowers are notable not only for their beauty but also for their nocturnal blooming habits, opening late in the day and perfuming the evening air with a gentle fragrance. This nocturnal nature makes the Egyptian lotus unique among many water lilies and adds an extra dimension of intrigue for those who cultivate and observe it.

Thriving in warm, tropical environments, the Egyptian lotus prefers still or slow-moving waters such as ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. It plays a vital role in local ecosystems, contributing to the oxygenation of water bodies and providing shelter and sustenance for a variety of aquatic life forms. Beyond its ecological value, the Egyptian lotus has historical and cultural significance, symbolizing rebirth and purity in various ancient Egyptian religious and artistic contexts.

For gardeners and aquarists, cultivating the Egyptian lotus can be a rewarding endeavor. It requires ample sunlight, warm temperatures, and rich, muddy substrates to anchor its roots. Given the right conditions, it can propagate relatively easily, either through seeds or the division of its rhizomes, quickly transforming a water garden into a vibrant aquatic paradise.

Overall, the Egyptian lotus, with its lush foliage and mesmerizing flowers, stands as a testament to the beauty and complexity of aquatic plant life. Its historical resonance and ecological contributions make it a cherished species worthy of admiration and conservation.

Common Names

Eng: egyptian lotus, egyptian water-lily, white egyptian lotus, tiger lotus, white lotus, white water-lily, water lily
Ara: bashneen abiad, lotus, bashneen abyad
Swe: egyptisk vitlotus
Por: golfão-vermelho
Kin: inongo
Fra: lotier d’egypte, lotus tigré, nénuphar blanc
Spa: loto
Deu: weiße ägyptische seerose, weißer ägyptischer lotus, ägyptische lotosblume
En: Egyptian lotus, Egyptian water-lily, Tiger lotus, White Egyptian lotus, White water-lily, White lotus, Egyptian White Water-lily, Lotus water lily, Yellow water lily, White Egyptian-Lotus, Water Lily
Af: Geel waterlelie, Witwaterlelie
Ar: Bashneen abiad, بشنين (بَشنين)، بشنين (بِشنين)، بيارو (بِيارو), بشنين أبيض (بَشنين أبيَض)، نفار (نٌفار), بشنين الخنزير (بِشنين الخنزير), بيارو، عرايس النيل (عَرايس النيل), زنبق الماء المصري الأبيض, Lotus, Bashneen Abyad
Bm: Nkɔku
Eu: Loto-lore
My: ကြာဖြူပန်း
Ca: Lotus egipci
Zh: 齿叶睡莲
Cs: Leknín posvátný
Fi: Tiikerilumme
Fr: Lotier d’Egypte, Lotus tigré, Nénuphar blanc, Nymphée lotus
De: Weiße ägyptische Seerose, Weißer ägyptischer Lotus, Ägyptische Lotosblume, Tigerlotus
He: נימפאת הלוטוס
Rw: Inongo
Fa: نیلوفر آبی ببری
Pl: Grzybienie egipskie
Pt: Golfão-vermelho, Loto-sagrado-do-egito, Lótus-sagrado-do-egito
Sk: Lekno egyptské
Es: Loto, Lirio de agua egipcio
Sv: Egyptisk vitlotus
Ta: குவளை
Th: บัวสาย
: White egyptian lotus

Synonyms

• Leuconymphaea lotus ((L.) Kuntze)
• Castalia lotus ((L.) Tratt.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Congo (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Romania (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Feb 10, 2022 by Tri yana Tri yana Fauzi Somantri (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Quizito Parafino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2020 by A.W AW Bakhshi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2022 by B Rian (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Birgitta Tittel (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 10, 2020 by kanminu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2020 by Nerlekar Ranjeet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Quijano David (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2018 by Uday Wali (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2020 by zacweee weee (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Sep 15, 2011 by EOL − Bibliotheca Alexandrina (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2016 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Rl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2016 by EOL − marlac (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 15, 2011 by EOL − Bibliotheca Alexandrina (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2882429)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:605604-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nymphaea lotus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth