Nymphaea nouchali
Star lotus
Nymphaea nouchali, commonly known as the Blue Water Lily, is a sacred aquatic plant revered in many Eastern traditions. Renowned for its stunning azure blooms, it possesses significant medicinal properties, often used in traditional healing to reduce inflammation, soothe the nervous system, and promote overall mental well-being and tranquility.
- Scientific name: Nymphaea nouchali
- Family: Nymphaeaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Nymphaea nouchali, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, following the order Nymphaeaales. Within its taxonomic hierarchy, it is a member of the family Nymphaeaceae and the genus Nymphaea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Nymphaeales | WCVP |
| Family | Nymphaeaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Nymphaea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Nymphaea nouchali, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Hindi, it is called नीलकमल, while in Persian, it is referred to as نیلوفر آبی ستارهای. It is known as Звёздодный лотос in Russian and บัวเผื่อน in Thai, and it is called Stjärnlotus in Swedish.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | नीलकमल | Wikidata |
| fa | نیلوفر آبی ستارهای | Wikidata |
| ru | Звёздный лотос | Wikidata |
| th | บัวเผื่อน | Wikidata |
| sv | Stjärnlotus | Wikidata |
| es | Nymphaea stellata | Wikidata |
| ca | Nymphaea stellata | Wikidata |
| zh | 延药睡莲 | Wikidata |
| de | Stern-Seerose | Wikidata |
| new | आफ्वः | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range spanning across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving toward the center of the continent, it is widely distributed throughout West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found in the nations of Burundi, Congo, and Rwanda. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the vast territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Chad | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
Chemicals
Nymphaea nouchali has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4,8,9,10-pentahydroxy-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one, anthocyanins, corilagin, ellagic acid, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3,4,8,9,10-pentahydroxy-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| corilagin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| naringenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shoyuflavone C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Nymphaea nouchali has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Nymphaea nouchali has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include MDA-MB 231 cells, cholinesterase, hyperpigmentation, tumor.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| MDA-MB 231 cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperpigmentation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |