Japan Flora: Large, glaucous, perennial herb; leaves depressed-orbicular, 20-50 cm. across, slightly retuse, the petioles and peduncles with short fleshy prickles; flowers 15-20 cm. across, deep pink or sometimes white; sepals caducous, green; petals obovate, obtuse. nervulose, 8-12 cm. long, 3-7 cm. wide; anthers linear, yellow, 15-20 mm. long, the filaments linear, 7-25 mm. long; receptacle spongy, in fruit to 10 cm. high and as wide, flat, the seeds embedded within; nuts ellipsoidal, about 20 mm. long. July-Aug. Much planted in ponds and shallow lakes, with several cultivated races.

India, China, Iran, and Australia.