Species of waterlily probably native to the Nile and elsewhere in east Africa, but found already in ancient times in India and Thailand. It has pale- to sky-blue or mauve petals; the flower rises to the surface over the course of a few days when ready to bloom. Ancient Egyptians believed that the flowers open in the morning, rise to the surface, and then sink again at night, which symbolized the rising and setting of the sacred sun to them. When consumed, the plant has mild psycho-active properties, and was probably used ceremonially in ancient Egypt.
