Blue Lily Indigenous tours This lily is a floating perennial herb commonly found in billabongs, rivers and pools in the Northern parts of the Northern Territory.

| | | | | |

Blue Lily

Scientific name; Nymphaea violacea

Local indigenous name: Barradjunga

This beautiful lily was first scientifically described in 1853.

It is found extensively in NG and tropical Australia and is probably the most common lily seen on the floodplain around camp.

Description: This lily is a floating perennial herb commonly found in billabongs, rivers and pools in the Northern parts of the Northern Territory. It grows particularly well in still permanent water sources such as the floodplains at camp.

It has its rhizome or bulb buried in the mud on the bottom of the water.

Its floating leaves are broad and almost circular, dark green on top with a split at the base to the point of attachment to the stalk. The underneath of the leaf is pale green to purplish in colour.

The leaves are 8 to 15 cms in diameter with an irregular almost wavy appearance at the edges.

It produces beautiful sweetly scented flowers on stalks up to 30 cm above the water surface.

The flowers range in colour from a pale purple/violet, blue or white.

Their peak flowering time is in the dry season when they open during the day, attracting a variety of insects, attracted by the scent.

These plants also provide a habitat for birds, turtles and fish.

The Blue lily is 100% edible and has been an important food source for local indigenous peoples.

Low in fat and high in protein and water, 100 grams provides about 168 k.j or about 40 calories.

The stems can be eaten raw and taste a bit like celery.

The old flower forms a seed head which can be opened to reveal smallish seeds which taste like creamy almonds. When you are on the floodplain, please ask Ian or Nick to show you how to find the edible seeds to taste for yourself.

Plants are propagated from seeds or from the rhizome or bulb.

These beautiful lilies are not endangered or threatened in the NT and are commercially cultivated for home gardeners to plant in garden ponds.