Blue Water Lily (Nil Manel)

The Water Lily is a beautiful aquatic flower, typically violet-blue with reddish edges. Some varieties display white, purple, mauve, or fuchsia hues. Native to southern and eastern Asia, it has been cultivated since ancient times to enhance the beauty of ponds and waterways.

Significance in Sri Lanka

The Nil Manel (Blue Water Lily) was declared Sri Lanka’s national flower in 1986. In 2016, the official national flower was redefined as the Manel flower, encompassing all Water Lily varieties.

Deeply rooted in Buddhist culture, the Water Lily is one of the 108 auspicious symbols on Prince Siddhartha’s footprint. It is also believed that lotus flowers bloomed wherever Lord Buddha had walked.

Botanical Features

• Scientific Name: Nymphaea stellata
• Synonyms: Castalia acutiloba, Castalia stellaris
• Previous Name: Nymphaea nouchali
• Family: Nymphaeaceae
• Native Status: Native to Sri Lanka
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable (VU) - NRL 2020

The plant is an aquatic herb with a short, erect, ovoid rootstock. Its floating leaves range from 12.5–20 cm in diameter, with a smooth texture and entire or coarsely sinuate margins. The solitary flowers bloom from 7 AM to 5 PM, reaching 7.5–15 cm in diameter, and exhibit a striking combination of pink, blue, white, or magenta petals with a yellow center. The fruit is a soft, globular, spongy berry containing numerous small seeds.

Traditional & Medicinal Uses

Various parts of the plant have been used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine:

• Stem & Rhizome: Used to treat liver diseases, piles, and urinary tract disorders
• Medicinal Properties: Diuretic, aphrodisiac, and sedative

Local & Cultural Names

• English: Water Lily, Blue Lotus, Blue Star Water Lily, Star Lotus
• Sinhala: Manel (මානෙල්)
• Tamil: Neelambal
• Sanskrit: Utpala

Found predominantly in the dry zone, the Manel flower thrives in shallow waters across Sri Lanka, blooming almost all day long. Its vibrant colors and deep cultural significance make it a cherished national symbol.