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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Oval; Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf feel
Prickly; Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
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.
Stem detail
Stems have sharp spines.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Northern India to Southern Russia and the Far East
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Seeds
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Edibility
Fruit are consumed raw. Each fruit contains from 8 to 15 seeds that are usually roasted and then eaten.