Nymphaea caerulea Savigny 1802, commonly called Blue Lotus, Blue Egyptian Water Lily or Sacred Blue Lily, is an aquatic plant, most likely native to Egypt, but since ancient times also found in India, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Thailand. The common name Blue Lotus is missleading, as the plant isn`t ranked among the genus Lotus (Nelumbo). Nymphaea caerulea is a water lily (Nymphaea) and was significant in Egyptian mythology, as the stunning blue flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon. There has been reports in literature, that the flowers rise to the water surface, while opening in the morning and sink, while they close in the afternoon. This is nonsense !

Nowadays the blue flowers of Nymphaea caerulea are used in aromatherapy and to produce Blue Lotus Tea and perfume. Nymphaea caerulea has also psycho-active properties. Blue Egyptian Water Lily flowers reach a size of about 15 cm across.

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Image: Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)