The Blue water lily is an iconic fresh water plant which is also known as Blue Lotus of India. It is widely seen in Kerala mostly growing in the fresh water ponds and brackish backwaters. The leaves of the water lily are oval shaped with a notch in the leaf stem. The solitary flower blooms in the dawn and withers in the dusk.

The water lily is often used as an ornamental plant in the parks and is the national flower of Bangladesh.

In Ayurveda it is considered as medicine for dysentery, skin diseases and indigestion.