Aquatic Plants
芡实
Gordon Euryale
Euryale ferox
Gordon Euryale is an annual aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, the waterlily family. It looks just like an exaggerated waterlily, with floating leaves that may grow to 1-1.5 metres wide. The entire surface of the plant is covered with prickles. Newly emerged leaves are heavily wrinkled as if being rubbed, but will gradually unfold with growth. The flower is purple and looks like a miniature waterlily. The fruit is covered with prickles, and contains numerous rounded seeds which are harvested for making soups.