Euryale ferox

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Euryale ferox
Euryale ferox kz06.jpg
Flowering Euryale ferox cultivated in the Botanischer Garten Berlin-Dahlem
Euryale ferox.jpg
Botanical illustration of Euryale ferox from Curtis's Botanical Magazine (1812).
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Euryale
Salisb.
Species:
E. ferox
Binomial name
Euryale ferox
Synonyms [2]
  • Anneslea spinosa Andrews
  • Euryale ferox f. ussuriense Regel
  • Euryale indica Planch.
Surface-floating leaf of Euryale ferox Euryale ferox 1-OB9.jpg
Surface-floating leaf of Euryale ferox
Euryale ferox Salisb. seedling with scale bar (3 cm) on a white background Euryale ferox Salisb. seedling.jpg
Euryale ferox Salisb. seedling with scale bar (3 cm) on a white background
A pond of cultivated Euryale in northern India Makhanak Pokhari.jpg
A pond of cultivated Euryale in northern India

Euryale ferox, commonly known as prickly waterlily, [3] makhana or Gorgon plant, is a species of water lily found in southern and eastern Asia, and the only extant member of the genus Euryale. [lower-alpha 1] The edible seeds, called fox nuts or makhana when dried, [lower-alpha 2] are eaten in Asia.

Contents

Taxonomy

Euryale ferox is a member of the water lily family Nymphaeaceae. [2] The separate family Euryalaceae J.Agardh was proposed in 1858, a classification which has ultimately been rejected. [4] Unlike other water lilies, the pollen grains of Euryale have three nuclei. [5]

Etymology

The genus is named after a mythical Greek Gorgon, Euryale. [6]

The specific epithet ferox means fierce or ferocious. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Distribution

Euryaleferox is a perennial plant native to eastern Asia and southern Asia, and is found from northeast India [lower-alpha 3] to Korea and Japan, as well as parts of eastern Russia.

Recently, it has also been recorded in Serbia, Europe. It was likely dispersed to Serbia through migrating birds. [11]

Description

It grows in water, producing bright purple flowers. The leaves are large and round and peltate, often more than a meter (3 feet) across, 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. In India, Euryale normally grows in ponds and wetlands.

Reproduction

Self pollination can occur in Euryale ferox. Pollen is known to be released prior to the opening of the flower. [12] The majority of Euryale ferox flowers are cleistogamous, with the additional occurrence of chasmogamous flowers. [13]

Cytology

The chromosome count is n = 29. The genome size is 870.42 Mb. [14]

Uses

Culinary

Makhana being lightly roasted, ready to eat Foxnut Makhana - Nawada District - Bihar - 1.jpg
Makhana being lightly roasted, ready to eat

The plant produces starchy white seeds that are edible. The plant is cultivated for its seeds [15] in lowland ponds in India, China, and Japan. The Chinese have cultivated the plant for centuries. [16] More than 96,000 hectares of Bihar, India, were set aside for cultivation of Euryale in 1990–1991. [6] The Indian state of Bihar produces 90% of the world's fox nuts. [15] The plant grows best in locations with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Seeds are collected in the late summer and early autumn, and may be eaten raw or cooked.

In the northern and western parts of India, Euryale ferox seeds are often roasted or fried, which causes them to pop like popcorn. [17] These are then eaten, often with a sprinkling of oil and spices. They are also used in other types of cooking, especially to make a porridge or pudding called kheer.

Evidence from archaeobotany indicates that Euryale ferox was a frequently collected wild food source during the Neolithic period in the Yangtze region, with large numbers of finds coming from the sites of Kuahuqiao, Hemudu, and Tianluoshan. [18] The earliest recorded use of E. ferox was found in Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, Israel, among artifacts of the Acheulean culture 750–790,000 years ago. [19]

The seeds are used in Cantonese soup. [20]

Traditional medicine

The seeds of foxnut are used in Ayurveda preparations and in traditional Chinese medicine. [15]

Conservation status

It is classified on the Red List of endangered plants in Japan and given the designation "vulnerable". [13] [21] It is classified as species of Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [1] However, a population decline on the global scale has been reported. [13]

Notes

  1. ↑ The plant is also called foxnut. Known as thangjing in parts of Manipur, India.
  2. ↑ Also called gorgon nut.
  3. ↑ Euryale is found in the Mithila region, specifically nine districts of Bihar (Madhubani, Darbhanga, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria, Saharsa and Supaul) and some hilly areas of Manipur.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nymphaeaceae</span> Family of plants

Nymphaeaceae is a family of flowering plants, commonly called water lilies. They live as rhizomatous aquatic herbs in temperate and tropical climates around the world. The family contains five genera with about 70 known species. Water lilies are rooted in soil in bodies of water, with leaves and flowers floating on or emergent from the surface. Leaves are round, with a radial notch in Nymphaea and Nuphar, but fully circular in Victoria and Euryale.

<i>Victoria</i> (plant) Genus of aquatic plants

Victoria or giant waterlily is a genus of water-lilies, in the plant family Nymphaeaceae, with very large green leaves that lie flat on the water's surface. Victoria boliviana has a leaf that is up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in width, on a stalk up to 8 metres (26 ft) in length. The genus name was given in honour of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. It pushes other water plants aside as it spreads out until only those of its kind remains. When this happens it has nearly completely cut out the sunlight from getting to any plants below the water limited only by circle packing.

<i>Nymphaea</i> Genus of aquatic plants

Nymphaea is a genus of hardy and tender aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution. Many species are cultivated as ornamental plants, and many cultivars have been bred. Some taxa occur as introduced species where they are not native, and some are weeds. Plants of the genus are known commonly as water lilies, or waterlilies in the United Kingdom. The genus name is from the Greek νυμφαία, nymphaia and the Latin nymphaea, which mean "water lily" and were inspired by the nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology.

<i>Victoria amazonica</i> Species of plant

Victoria amazonica is a species of flowering plant, the second largest in the water lily family Nymphaeaceae. It is called uape jacana in Brazil and Atun Sisac in Inca (Quechua). Its native region is tropical South America, specifically Guyana and the Amazon Basin.

<i>Nymphaea nouchali <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> caerulea</i> Species of plant

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<i>Urtica ferox</i> Species of plant

Urtica ferox, commonly known as tree nettle and, in Māori, ongaonga, taraonga, taraongaonga, оr okaoka, is a species of nettle endemic to New Zealand. Unlike the other species in the genus Urtica found in New Zealand, all of which are herbaceous, ongaonga is a large woody shrub that can grow to a height of 3 m (9.8 ft), with the base of the stem reaching 12 cm (4.7 in) in thickness. It has large spines that can result in a painful sting that lasts several days.

<i>Nuphar lutea</i> Species of flowering plant

Nuphar lutea, the yellow water-lily, brandy-bottle, or spadderdock, is an aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, native to northern temperate and some subtropical regions of Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. This species was used as a food source and in medicinal practices from prehistoric times with potential research and medical applications going forward.

<i>Nymphaea micrantha</i> Species of water lily

Nymphaea micrantha is a water lily belonging to the genus Nymphaea. It is native to the tropics of West Africa.

<i>Nymphaea nouchali</i> Species of aquatic plant

Nymphaea nouchali, often known by its synonym Nymphaea stellata, or by common names blue lotus, star lotus, red water lily, dwarf aquarium lily, blue water lily, blue star water lily or manel flower, is a water lily of genus Nymphaea. It is native to southern and eastern parts of Asia, and is the national flower of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In Sanskrit it is called utpala. This species is usually considered to include the blue Egyptian lotus N. nouchali var. caerulea. In the past, taxonomic confusion has occurred, with the name Nymphaea nouchali incorrectly applied to Nymphaea pubescens.

<i>Nymphaea thermarum</i> Species of water lily

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<i>Nymphaea gigantea</i> Species of plant in the family Nymphaeaceae

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mithila Makhana</span> Special Foods of Mithila

Mithila Makhana is a special variety of aquatic fox nut cultivated in Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal. In Mithila, Makhana is also termed as Makhan. It is one of the three prestigious cultural identities of Mithila: Pond, Fish and Makhan "पग-पग पोखर, माछ, मखान ". It is also famous in Kojagara festival of Maithil Brahmins and Kaysath celebrated for newly married couples. Makhana contains protein and fiber, along with micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus.

<i>Victoria boliviana</i> Species of plant

Victoria boliviana, or the Bolivian waterlily is a new species of water lily within the genus Victoria in the family Nymphaeaceae. It is the newest described species of the genus and its largest member in size and was officially identified in 2022. In January 2023, the species was awarded three Guinness World Record titles for world's largest waterlily species, world's largest waterlily leaf and world's largest undivided leaf, with the latter two specifically recognizing a specimen grown in 2012 at La Rinconada Gardens in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

<i>Nymphaea ampla</i> Species of plant in the family Nymphaeaceae

Nymphaea ampla, the dotleaf waterlily, is a species of flowering plant in the family Nymphaeaceae. It is native to Texas, Florida, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern and western South America.

<i>Nymphaea prolifera</i> Species of water lily

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<i>Nymphaea gardneriana</i> Species of water lily

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<i>Nymphaea atrans</i> Species of water lily

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<i>Nymphaea carpentariae</i> Species of water lily

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References

  1. 1 2 Zhuang, X. 2011. Euryale ferox. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T168756A6535154. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T168756A6535154.en. Accessed on 03 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Euryale ferox Salisb". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  3. ↑ Lee, Sangtae; Chang, Kae Sun, eds. (2015). English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. p. 466. ISBN   978-89-97450-98-5 . Retrieved 7 March 2019– via Korea Forest Service.
  4. ↑ Euryalaceae J.Agardh, 1858. (n.d.). GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved August 6, 2023, from https://www.gbif.org/species/206275338
  5. ↑ Cronquist, Arthur (1981). An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants . New York: Columbia University Press. p.  111. ISBN   978-0-231-03880-5.
  6. 1 2 Lariushin, Boriss (2012). Solanaceae family. Boriss Lariushin. p. 17. ISBN   9781478191834.
  7. ↑ Datura ferox. (n.d.). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/datura-ferox/
  8. ↑ Urtica ferox. (n.d.). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/urtica-ferox/
  9. ↑ San Diego Zoo Global Library staff. (n.d.). LibGuides: Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) Fact Sheet: Taxonomy & History. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/fossa/taxonomy
  10. ↑ Chen, W., Van Wyk, B. E., Vermaak, I., & Viljoen, A. M. (2012). "Cape aloes — A review of the phytochemistry, pharmacology and commercialisation of Aloe ferox." Phytochemistry Letters, 5(1), 1-12.
  11. ↑ Živković, M., Pejčić, L., Paskaš, N., Bajić, A., Šipoš, Š., Perić, R., & Novakovic, B. (02 2023). "First recent record of Prickly Waterlily (Euryale ferox) Salisb. (Nymphaeaceae) in freshwaters of Europe."
  12. ↑ Povilus, R. A., Losada, J. M., & Friedman, W. E. (2015). "Floral biology and ovule and seed ontogeny of Nymphaea thermarum, a water lily at the brink of extinction with potential as a model system for basal angiosperms." Annals of Botany, 115(2), 211-226.
  13. 1 2 3 Imanishi, A., & Imanishi, J. (2014). "Seed dormancy and germination traits of an endangered aquatic plant species, Euryale ferox Salisb.(Nymphaeaceae)." Aquatic botany, 119, 80-83.
  14. ↑ Chen, Fei; Liu, Xing; Yu, Cuiwei; Chen, Yuchu; Tang, Haibao; Zhang, Liangsheng (2017). "Water lilies as emerging models for Darwin's abominable mystery" (PDF). Horticulture Research. 4 (1): 17051. Bibcode:2017HorR....417051C. doi:10.1038/hortres.2017.51. PMC   5626932 . PMID   28979789.
  15. 1 2 3 Flora of China, "Euryale ferox"
  16. ↑ Mabberley, D. J. (1987). The Plant-book . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-0-521-34060-1.
  17. ↑ "Are popped lotus seeds the next popcorn?". Foodnavigator. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  18. ↑ Fuller, D. Q.; Qin, L; Zheng, Y; Zhao, Z; Chen, X; Hosoya, LA; Sun, GP; et al. (2009). "The Domestication Process and Domestication Rate in Rice: Spikelet bases from the Lower Yangtze". Science. 323 (5921): 1607–1610. Bibcode:2009Sci...323.1607F. doi:10.1126/science.1166605. PMID   19299619. S2CID   21357179.
  19. ↑ Goren - Inbarand, N.; Melamed, Y.; Zohar, I.; Akhilesh, K.; Pappu, S. (2014-10-11). "Beneath Still Waters - Multistage Aquatic Exploitation of Euryale ferox (Salisb.) during the Acheulian". Internet Archaeology (37). doi: 10.11141/ia.37.1 . Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  20. ↑ Yujing Liu; et al. (2018). "Plants traditionally used to make Cantonese slow-cooked soup in China". Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 14 (1): 4. doi: 10.1186/s13002-018-0206-y . PMC   5769313 . PMID   29334976.
  21. ↑ Kumar, N., Rani, S., Kuamr, G., Kumari, S., Singh, I. S., Gautam, S., & Choudhary, B. K. (2019). "Physiological and biochemical responses of Makhana (Euryale ferox) to gamma irradiation." Journal of Biological Physics, 45, 1-12.

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