Propagation
Collect seeds when ripe and store in distilled water during winter, then sow in spring under water to a depth of 80mm (3in). Maintain a temperature of 27ş to 30ş C. (81ş to 86ş F).


Botanic information
Leaf: The large floating leathery orbicular leaves have a tessellated, smooth upper surface. The reddish underside and up-turned prickly margins are heavily ribbed. The size of the leaf depends on the depth of the water with deeper water producing larger leaves.

Note:
The leaves grow to 2.5m (8ft) wide and can support a weight of 30kg (65Lb).

Flower: The pinkish to red nocturnal cyathiform flowers have many large twisted petals and sepals that have prickles at the base. The short-lived flowers open in the late afternoon and last for 2-days and appear during summer.

Fruit: The large globular black berries sink on maturity then disintegrates dispersing the seeds. The starchy seeds are edible.