Euryale ferox

Fox nut

Euryale ferox, commonly known as the prickly water lily, is a distinctive aquatic perennial native to Southeast Asian wetlands. Characterized by its robust, serrated leaves and striking white blooms, this plant holds significant traditional value, often utilized in regional herbal practices for its unique bioactive properties and medicinal potential.

  • Scientific name: Euryale ferox
  • Family: Nymphaeaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Nymphaeaales, falling within the family Nymphaeaecae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed under the genus Euryale.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Nymphaeales WCVP
Family Nymphaeaceae WCVP
Genus Euryale WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Euryale ferox, is referred to by several common names across different languages and regions. In Hindi, it is widely known as मखाना, while in Chinese, it is called 芡 across various regional standards, including 芡 in Simplified Chinese (zh-Hans), 芡 in Traditional Chinese (zh-Hant), 芡 in Hong Kong (zh-HK), and 芡 in Mainland China (zh-CN).
Language Common Name Source
hi मखाना Wikidata
zh-hans Wikidata
zh-hant Wikidata
zh-hk Wikidata
zh-cn Wikidata
zh-sg Wikidata
zh-tw Wikidata
pl Rozłożnia kolczasta Wikidata
ru Эвриала устрашающая Wikidata
ja オニバス Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of East Asia. Within the Russian Far East, it can be found specifically in the Primorye region. Its presence is also widespread throughout China, spanning from the South-Central provinces to the island of Hainan. Additionally, the species inhabits the northern territories of China, including Inner Mongolia and Manchuria. Collectively, these areas highlight the plant's ability to thrive across diverse northern and southern climates.

Region Area Source
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Euryale ferox, commonly known as the ferocity plant, is characterized by its unique morphological features, but in the context of its medicinal potential, the seeds are of particular interest. These seeds are produced within its distinct fruiting structures and contain the concentrated bioactive compounds that contribute to the plant's therapeutic properties. When harvested and processed correctly, the seeds serve as the primary component for extracting the medicinal elements used in traditional applications.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
seeds 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Euryale ferox has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 31 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, IAA, anthocyanins, indole-3-acetic acid, starch.

Total chemicals
24
Scientific sources
31

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 4 ★★☆☆☆
IAA 2 ★☆☆☆☆
anthocyanins 2 ★☆☆☆☆
indole-3-acetic acid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
starch 2 ★☆☆☆☆
2'-deoxyguanosine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
amylose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cerebrosides 1 ★☆☆☆☆
corilagin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cytidine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Euryale ferox has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hypoglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Euryale ferox has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cardiovascular diseases, hyperglycemia, inflammation, kidney disease, oxidative stress.

Total uses
5
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cardiovascular diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hyperglycemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kidney disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆