Yellow Water Lily: Health Pod

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

A summer cottage pond looks harmonious and attractive when its design is made in a natural style with the use of aquatic plants. The romance of a decorative pond is often associated with a yellow water lily or water lily

The egg capsules are the oldest plants on the planet, according to archaeological evidence they appeared thirty million years ago. Small shining - yellow flowers of the capsule can be seen along the banks of slowly flowing rivers, in lakes, ponds. This Euro-Asian species of aquatic plant in Russia is found everywhere, of course, except for mountainous regions. Forming thickets of shiny green leathery - heart-shaped leaves on long stalks and bright flowers on strong peduncles, the capsule gives an exquisite look to any body of water.

This water flower got its name "egg-capsule" for the specific shape of a pistil similar to a jug.

Botanical description

The egg capsule or water lily yellow belongs to the water lily family, a species of the genus egg capsule and is a perennial plant with leaves floating on the surface of the water surface. The capsule is also called yellow kupava, water burdock, yellow water lily. The plant is not demanding on the cleanliness of the reservoir. Very often I confuse the leaves of the yellow pod with the leaves of a white water lily, when the flowers have not yet blossomed, it is difficult for an inexperienced gardener to determine where the water lily is and where the lily is. Although if you look closely, there is still a difference - pay attention to the cutouts at the leaf petiole.

This perennial aquatic herb has a long creeping fleshy cylindrical rhizome, flattened from top to bottom, covered with numerous filamentous roots and scars from fallen petioles. In the old days, the rhizome was used in everyday life: they tanned the skin, dyed the fabrics yellow, and scared off cockroaches.

Over time, the old parts of the root die off, thus vegetative propagation occurs. First of all, submerged, almost transparent, light green leaves with wavy edges are formed, then floating leaves or leaves already protruding above the surface of the water are formed, with a deep cut at the base, their length reaches 20-40 cm, the width is slightly less. The leaves that are on the surface are leathery, green, almost closed, have a rounded - oval shape with a heart-shaped base, parts of the leaf near the cut are rounded.

The capsule opens up in large bright single flowers of a rich yellow color. The diameter of the flower is 4 - 10 cm, the calyx is bell-shaped, five-leafed with greenery on the outside. There are many reduced narrow petals, they are shorter than sepals, nectaries are located at their base. The multi-celled stigma is located inside and surrounded by a large number of stamens. The graceful yellow water lily exudes a wonderful scent that attracts insects for pollination.

The resulting upper ovary is pulled together under the stigma. When fully ripe, the fruit splits into small fruits, similar to lemon rings. The seeds are very thick, they can float on the surface of the water for a long time, be eaten by birds and leave the stomach intact.

Growing

The egg capsule is very undemanding to growing conditions, it grows well both in running and standing water of a decorative pond in the country. But this aquatic beauty does not like polluted water and cleans it herself of blue - green algae. If you want your pond water not to “bloom”, then be sure to get a yellow water lily. A well-lit pond will be an ideal option for the rapid development of the egg capsule; the soil of a pond, enriched with peat, humus and clay, is suitable as a soil. To keep your home pond attractive for a long time, sometimes remove excess and old leaves of the plant. The egg capsule belongs to deep-water plants and therefore hibernates perfectly in the pond below the ice zone and experiences short-term freezing.

Chemical composition

The described aquatic plant has a unique chemical composition, which determines its beneficial properties. The egg capsule is often used in folk medicine. The rhizome of the yellow water lily is especially rich: alkaloids - nufaridines, sugars, starch, resins, tannins have a beneficial effect on the human body. Ellagitannin, luteolin, various acids were found in the leaves of the capsule. Flowers and seeds containing nymphaline and gallic acid are also curative. The capsule is used as an analgesic, bactericidal, astringent, choleretic and mild hypnotic.

Economic value and application

For people suffering from immunodeficiency or having undergone complex operations, drugs with a capsule are often prescribed. Means based on a yellow water lily are used for gastritis, they relieve inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Possessing pathogenic properties, preparations based on the capsule extract are used externally for the treatment of the epidermis and mucous membranes. The effectiveness of the remedy from the roots in rheumatism and tuberculosis has been established. A decoction of the egg capsule helps fight viral infections. Sometimes healing infusions are recommended for nighttime urinary incontinence in children.

The rhizome and flowers are corrective agents for restoring sexual function and increasing desire. Decoctions of the plant stop uterine bleeding.

Contraindications for use

When ingesting capsule-based preparations, be careful and follow the correct dosage. The plant is considered poisonous, despite the list of medicinal properties. Pregnant products made using the capsule are strictly prohibited.