Euryale ferruginous

Other names: Lily of the valley, Prickly water lily, Foxnut, Foxnut, Gorgon nut, Makhana, Euryale defiant

Euryale ironwort, also known as water lily of the valley, prickly water lily, foxnut, foxnut, gorgon nut, makhana or euryale defiant, is a plant belonging to the water lily family. It is a perennial aquatic plant that is native to Asia. This plant produces large leaves on the water surface that can reach up to one meter in diameter. Its bracts are a soft grey-green with silvery spots on the upper side and covered with spines underneath. Its flowers are purplish-pink with long filaments and grow on long stems that extend above the surface of the water. The fruits that the plant produces are called makhanas and are particularly popular in Asia.

Its fruits, known as makhanas, are used extensively, especially in Indian cuisine. They are a popular ingredient in many traditional Indian sweets such as kheer (a type of rice milk) or halwa. Makhanas can also be roasted with salt and chilli and served as a healthy snack, similar to popcorn. They are also used to make various types of crisps for children and other healthy snacks. But makhana is not only a food but also a medicine. It has antioxidant properties, contributes to better heart health and is also believed to help in curing arthritis and other health ailments. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to treat chronic kidney diseases.